Wolverhampton Wanderers announced the departure of head coach Gary O'Neil after the club's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table. Following this result, Wolves have now accumulated only nine points from 16 matches, placing them 19th, four points adrift of safety. This move, announced on December 15, 2024, marks the culmination of growing concerns over the team's performance under O'Neil, who had been at the helm for 16 months.
O'Neil took charge of Wolves at the beginning of the 2023/24 Premier League season, replacing Julen Lopetegui, and led the team to a respectable finish of 14th place last season. His tenure included notable victories against strong opponents such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as guiding Wolves to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Despite these successes, the current season has been troubling, with Wolves suffering from one of their worst starts to a league campaign. The defeat to Ipswich was their fourth consecutive league loss and the 11th out of 16 matches this season. Chairman Jeff Shi expressed gratitude for O'Neil's efforts, stating, "We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.”
The decision to part ways with O'Neil follows intense scrutiny over the team’s performance, which has been characterized by defensive frailties and struggle to secure points. Wolves have conceded 40 goals this season, the worst tally after 16 matches since the 1983/84 season, when the club faced relegation.
O'Neil's early optimism for the season was overshadowed by injuries and the loss of key players, issues which commentators have pointed to as contributing factors to Wolves' struggles. Adam Bate from Sky Sports highlighted the disparity between last season's performance and this season's outcomes, noting how O'Neil, by the end, had lost his way.
Reports indicate Wolves are already on the hunt for O'Neil's replacement. Vitor Pereira, the manager currently with Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab, is purportedly the front-runner. Pereira has won league titles across multiple countries, including Greece, Turkey, and Portugal, and is said to be interested in the opportunity. Meanwhile, both David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have emerged as other candidates to replace O'Neil.
Solskjaer, who previously managed Manchester United, was even spotted at Molineux during the Ipswich match, leading to speculation he may be linked to the managerial vacancy. Moyes, recently dismissed from West Ham, has also been mentioned as potentially stepping back onto the touchline to manage Wolves.
Public sentiments among Wolves fans reflect disappointment over the club's management decisions, particularly around the sale of star players, which some believe hindered O'Neil's ability to create a competitive squad. Former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui had previously expressed similar concerns about the club's approach to team management.
The situation at Wolves is emblematic of broader issues within football, where managerial stability is increasingly threatened by underperformance. The club is now tasked with finding their sixth permanent manager within eight years, as they seek to avoid relegation from the Premier League and reclaim their status as one of the competitive teams of the league.
With the January transfer window approaching, the new manager—whoever it may be—will have the opportunity to reshape the squad to drive Wolves away from danger and back to Premier League respectability. For now, the priority remains clear: securing safety from relegation.
Wolves are set to face Leicester City as their next opponents on December 22, 2024, where they will hope to implement changes quickly and begin the road to recovery.
