In a surprising turn of events, Gary O'Neil has withdrawn from the race to become the new head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers, just months after his departure from the club. O'Neil was initially considered a leading candidate to replace Vítor Pereira, who was sacked following a string of poor results that left Wolves at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The decision comes after what sources describe as productive talks between O'Neil and the Wolves hierarchy, including chairman Jeff Shi. Despite early indications suggesting O'Neil was keen on a return to Molineux, he has since had a change of heart after a period of reflection. According to reports, a large part of the deal had been agreed upon, leaving the club stunned by his withdrawal.
O'Neil's departure from Wolves in December 2024, after a 16-month stint, saw Pereira take the reins. However, Pereira's tenure was short-lived, as the team's dismal performance, including a recent 3-0 defeat to Fulham, led to his dismissal. The club's management hoped O'Neil's return would revitalize the squad and improve their chances of avoiding relegation.
Sources indicate that O'Neil had even started finalizing his backroom staff, and the club believed he was the ideal candidate to galvanize the team. However, it appears the 42-year-old tactician has opted against returning to familiar surroundings, despite waiting for the right opportunity to dive back into management since his December exit.
The news has been met with mixed reactions, with some reports suggesting that a majority of Wolves supporters were not in favor of O'Neil's return. The Supporters' Trust voiced concerns that his reappointment would indicate a "clear lack of strategic direction" from the club's leadership.
With O'Neil out of the picture, Wolves are now forced to broaden their search for a new manager. The club had maintained contact with other potential candidates during discussions with O'Neil and will now intensify those discussions.
Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards is another name that has been linked with the Wolves job. However, Edwards has distanced himself from the speculation, reiterating his commitment to his current role. He acknowledged his links to Wolves, where he previously played and coached, but emphasized his focus on Middlesbrough.
In the interim, Wolves have placed their under-21s head coach, James Collins, and under-18s head coach, Richard Walker, in charge of the first team. Their immediate challenge is an upcoming match against Chelsea. The club faces a critical period as they seek to appoint a new manager capable of steering them away from the relegation zone and securing their Premier League status.
