Gary O’Neil’s position in the Wolves dugout has become untenable after his side were thrashed 4-0 by Everton on Wednesday night.
It’s the second time in as many games that Wolves have conceded four goals against a relegation rival, and their performance at Goodison Park was terrible.
The visitors produced some terrible defending, shipping multiple goals from set-pieces, while the night was summed up by Craig Dawson scoring two own goals.
With the Old Gold now cemented in the relegation places and no signs of improvement under the current manager, Wolves chanted for Gary O’Neil to be sacked at full-time.
Most supporters, if not all, want the 41-year-old to depart the club immediately, but some outsiders don’t agree with that decision.
Gary O'Neil, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, looks dejected after defeat to Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Wolv...
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Micah Richards doesn’t want to see Gary O’Neil get sacked
Despite how poorly Wolves have started this campaign, many pundits have previously called for O’Neil to remain in the dugout, leaving the fans aggravated.
It was only after the win at Craven Cottage that Gary Lineker said O’Neil looked full of confidence, essentially backing him to turn the situation around.
Now, analysing the game for BBC Match of the Day, Micah Richards suggested the writing was on the wall for the Wolves boss, although he did admit he didn’t want to see him get sacked.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
“When a manager starts talking like that, the club is bigger than me, it sort of looks like the writing is on the wall. But I’ve enjoyed him as a coach, and I don’t want to see him sacked.”
Sadly for Richards, it’s only a matter of time before the trigger is pulled on O’Neil, with even Lineker stating O’Neil should be sacked.
O’Neil’s abysmal Wolves record
It would be a huge surprise if O’Neil even survived Wednesday without being sacked, never mind making it to Monday’s showdown against West Ham.
O’Neil has the worst win percentage of the previous six managers at Molineux, including Julen Lopetegui, Paul Lambert and Walter Zenga.
Manager Games managed Wins Win percentage
Nuno Santo (May 2017 – May 2021) 199 95 47.7%
Paul Lambert (Oct 2016 – May 2017) 33 14 42.4%
Bruno Lage (June 2021 – Oct 2022) 51 19 37.25%
Julen Lopetegui (Nov 2022 – Aug 2023) 27 10 37.04%
Walter Zenga (Aug 2016 – Oct 2016) 17 6 35.3%
Gary O’Neil (Aug 2023 – Present) 61 20 32.7%
Figures correct as of 5/12/24
It’s not just the lack of wins over the past eight months that have been a problem, it’s the manner of the defeats they’ve faced.
To lose by a four-goal margin against a relegation rival is unforgivable while conceding six at home to Chelsea and four to Bournemouth is equally humiliating.
Surely the harrowing defeat at Goodison Park brings the curtain down on O’Neil’s 16-month spell at the club, which began with promise but has now unravelled into a nightmare.
Related Posts