Gary O’Neil is still the manager of Wolves, to the surprise of almost everybody.
Wolves have lost their last three Premier League games, with the latest coming against West Ham United on Monday.
Some felt sure he wouldn’t even see that game, after the horrible 4-0 defeat to Everton. But O’Neil was given the West Ham game, against a backdrop of speculation that the club were looking for potential successors.
Wolves lost 2-1 to West Ham and many felt that would surely be it for O’Neil.
But O’Neil is set to remain in charge for the Ipswich Town game, and it’s possible he could even take further fixtures.
There was a feeling that Wolves got a bit unlucky against West Ham, with three big decisions going against the team. However, many are still shocked the board is persisting with him – and one report has outlined why that’s the case.
Wolves board doesn’t think O’Neil is solely to blame for struggles
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London Sta...
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Last night, the Telegraph produced a report about O’Neil and the internal feeling about him at the club right now.
The publication claim that the board simply doesn’t feel that O’Neil is solely to blame for the current mess and is therefore reluctant to sack him.
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And the suggestion is that they are actually ready to back him with funds in January so that he can try and get the club out of this mess.
It’s stated the Wolves hierarchy is ‘committed to providing O’Neil and his coaching staff with the support necessary to improve results’.
It’s also suggested that Wolves officials know the club have been in a similar situation before, but have survived. There’s said to be an internal belief that the club are equipped to deal with the current challenges.
It’s not all O’Neil’s fault at Wolves
Fosun are the biggest reason why Wolves find currently themselves in the position they do.
Sure, O’Neil has made plenty of mistakes this season, and some players have fallen way short of the standards expected.
But it’s become clear that this whole mess is Fosun’s doing. Their model of selling the club’s best players every year and only bringing in players who aren’t necessarily ready to make a big impact right now makes life so hard for the manager.
O’Neil actually spoke pretty well after the defeat to West Ham and highlighted the issues perfectly, pointing out a number of player sales that have been made in recent years.
He accepts responsibility which is admirable but ultimately, Fosun’s recruitment model and desire for the club to become self-sustaining doesn’t allow for real progression – and it’s now actually putting Wolves’ Premier League status at serious risk.
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