Gary O'Neil Wolves wretched start to the season has cost Gary O'Neil his job
Wolves wretched start to the season has cost Gary O’Neil his job
By the end, the argument to keep Gary O’Neil as Wolves manager was flimsier than a defence which has conceded a league-high 40 goals this season.
His sacking provides stark evidence of how the fortunes of coaches can quickly turn in a matter of months. He is the third Premier League manager to go this season, after Leicester parted with Steve Cooper and Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag.
Last season, O’Neil was regarded as one of the great British hopes after a compelling presentation of his philosophy on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football alongside Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher.
After repairing the mess of Julen Lopetegui’s acrimonious pre-season exit, O’Neil even raised brief hopes of European football with some fine results including victories over Manchester City, Tottenham [twice] and Chelsea [twice].
Inevitably, there was talk that he was a potential future England manager. Yet the drop-off from Wolves’s painful defeat by Coventry City in the FA Cup quarter-final in March has been startling, and O’Neil had been a dead man walking for weeks.
Gary O'Neil was praised for the job he did last season when taking over from Julen Lopetegui
Gary O’Neil was praised for the job he did last season when taking over from Julen Lopetegui
Quite simply, no manager in world football can fight his corner after just three wins from 26 league matches and in recent weeks, he has looked like he wants to be put out of his misery.
He leaves at a time of chaos, with the discipline of his players and his savage post-match comments both under renewed scrutiny.
Wolves owners Fosun will not escape the backlash, either, and focus will be on their next appointment and whether they have acted too late.
O’Neil had some justification over his struggles, with Wolves selling over £240 million-worth of players in three transfer windows. The aim is to be self-sufficient, but the policy of selling their best talent and replacing them is unsustainable for a club of their size.
Selling players like Pedro Neto and captain Max Kilman would seriously weaken any team. The sale of centre-back Kilman, in particular, has proven costly when you consider their woeful defensive record. Though Wolves could never have anticipated a season-ending injury to Yerson Mosquera in September, the lack of experienced replacements has proved damaging. There is also a belief that Wolves faced a litany of poor decisions from VAR, bookended from his first game against Manchester United to O’Neil’s penultimate match at West Ham.
Pedro Neto and Max Kilman were sold by Wolves in the summer
Pedro Neto and Max Kilman were sold by Wolves in the summer
While his ability to coach on the training ground is without question, his management of the squad, tactics and team selection has often left the hierarchy bewildered. There have also been doubts internally over the capabilities of his backroom staff, who include Tim Jenkins, Shaun Derry and Ian Burchnall.
Other issues have been evident with the coaching staff. Before the season started, O’Neil was involved in the appointment of Jack Wilson, the club’s first ever set-piece specialist.
Wilson previously worked at Manchester City and arrived in July with O’Neil describing his arrival as “a fantastic one for the club to get done”.
However, Wilson only lasted three months and was sacked after the abysmal 5-3 defeat at Brentford. It is alleged that Wilson proved a divisive figure during his short spell at Compton, regularly clashing with staff in meetings.
Jack Wilson last just three months as Wolves' set-piece coach
Jack Wilson last just three months as Wolves’ set-piece coach
That hammering at Brentford was the first genuine alarm bell moment for the board.
There had been an unforgiving fixture list at the start of the season, but that defeat in west London triggered deep concern. Wolves were fortunate to concede only five - many fans argue this was the time to part ways.
O’Neil then returned to three centre-halves, abandoning his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, but Wolves kept leaking goals. Every time they had to defend a corner or set-piece, they looked vulnerable. And it kept happening.
Before the visit of Southampton on November 9, potential replacements had been lined up. Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton manager, was a popular option. O’Neil and his staff expected to be sacked in the event of a draw or defeat. Yet, while Wolves were far from convincing, they won 2-0 to give O’Neil some breathing space over the international break.
A stunning demolition of Fulham hinted at a revival, but chaotic defeats against Bournemouth and Everton cranked up the pressure yet again. Patience was wearing thin among some senior figures at the club.
As results continued to go against them, Wolves spoke to other potential replacements, but there were no positive noises from those approached, including David Moyes. Carlos Corberan, the manager of bitter rivals West Brom, was even strongly considered.
A 4-0 defeat at Everton on December 4 should have been the end, but O’Neil limped on. The club was determined to give him time to turn things around out of respect for past achievements.
The club was determined to give Gary O'Neil the chance to turn things around after the 4-0 loss to Everton
The club was determined to give Gary O’Neil the chance to turn things around after the 4-0 loss to Everton
Shortly before the game at West Ham last Monday – billed as ‘El Sackico’ – it is understood that chairman Jeff Shi told senior officials that the club would be throwing their support behind O’Neil. Wolves lost again, in controversial fashion, but O’Neil was told he had the immediate backing of the board.
Victory over Ipswich on Saturday was regarded as the game to kickstart their season. It ended in defeat, and there were further stormy scenes with Rayan Ait-Nouri sent off after the final whistle and Matheus Cunha clashing with Ipswich staff.
The perception that O’Neil had ‘lost’ some of his players proved the final blow. The manager pressed the nuclear button on Saturday in his interviews, and further isolated himself from the squad with his brutally honest comments.
He admitted that the answer to the team’s problems was not in the dressing room, though Wolves argue the quote requires full context.
Whether it was premeditated or not, there was no way back. Wolves made the decision on Saturday night, just days after appearing to give O’Neil a vote of confidence. Insiders at the club feel O’Neil acted with dignity right up to the end.
However, the manner of his exit perfectly captures the uncertainty around Wolves at this present time.