Wolves are preparing for their relegation six-pointer against Everton on Wednesday night while in the background, the future of Gary O’Neil continues to be a key point of discussion.
It’s been a disastrous eight months for Gary O’Neil, who has seen his Wolves side win just three Premier League games, two of which have come in the last three.
Wolves were beaten 4-2 by Bournemouth on Saturday as a series of individual mistakes handed the Cherries all three points.
As a result, fans called for O’Neil to be sacked at full-time, having become increasingly frustrated with what they were watching.
Most supporters want to see the 41-year-old exit from the football club however, the Englishman has sent a defiant message ahead of the visit to Everton.
Gary O'Neil, head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemout...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Gary O’Neil has ‘zero concerns’ over his Wolves future
Despite boasting the worst defence in the Premier League and sitting inside the relegation zone on goal difference, O’Neil surprisingly has ‘zero concerns’ over his future in the dugout.
Speaking in Tuesday’s press conference, as relayed by journalist Liam Keen, O’Neil said: “I have zero concerns over my role and future as a coach. I know how hard I work and I’m comfortable with the work I do, but of course I want results to improve. I understand results will decide how long I stay at Wolves.”
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For many, that message from the manager will bring a sense of frustration to a fanbase that has mainly experienced setbacks in recent years, seeing them plummet down the table.
Their stance on O’Neil has been clear for months, after watching their side capitulate on numerous occasions, with the next two fixtures against Everton and West Ham perhaps crucial in deciding his fate.
How O’Neil can somehow save his Wolves job
There is an unlikely scenario where the Englishman saves his long-term future in the dugout.
O’Neil was once dubbed a ‘special’ coach by Gary Lineker and many outside of Molineux will agree with that sentiment however, he isn’t deserving of that praise at the moment.
That said, if he can somehow improve his side’s defensive frailties and deploy a system that is more balanced and harder to break down, he will at least win over some of the fans.
Wolves defensive record in the Premier League (2024/25) Division rank
32 goals conceded 1st
25.29 Expected goals against 5th
14.7 shots conceded per game 6th
13.1 fouls per game 2nd
As delineated by the above table, Wolves defensive record makes for grim reading, and unless those numbers improve very soon, the risk of him being sacked will be even greater.
Indeed, he must successfully turn them into a more watertight defence and preserve the expression shown by the likes of Matheus Cunha in attack to save his job, although the chances of that happening look very slim.
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