As the Wolves announced, Gary O’Neil will take over the sporting scepter with immediate effect. The 40-year-old Englishman has signed a three-year contract with the Midlands team until June 2026.
During his active career, O’Neil played for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham, QPR, Bristol and Bolton, among others – he made a total of over 200 Premier League appearances. He started his coaching career in Liverpool FC’s youth academy, moving to AFC Bournemouth as assistant coach in February 2021, with whom he was promoted to the Premier League in the summer of 2022.
Dismissal despite staying up in Bournemouth
A harsh 0:9 smack against Liverpool FC plus subsequent criticism of the club’s transfer policy cost promotion coach Scott Parker his job after just a few matchdays. So O’Neil took over – first as an interim coach, then as a permanent solution. And although he saved Bournemouth at the end of last season, he too had to resign.
Those responsible for Wolves hope that O’Neil will bring “a breath of fresh air and new ideas”. “He is a young coach with high motivation and strong principles,” sporting director Matt Hobbs is quoted as saying on the club’s website. “We will give him our full support to move the club forward together.”
At the start of the Premier League, Wolverhampton is waiting for a real assessment of its position: On Monday evening, the Wolves will visit Champions League starters Manchester United at the end of the first matchday.
