Wolves finally parted company with Gary O’Neil at the weekend following a defeat to Ipswich Town.
Gary O’Neil had been on borrowed time for a while, having overseen three straight defeats heading into that game with the Tractor Boys.
But O’Neil did receive the backing of Jeff Shi ahead of the game – which was an absolutely bizarre call from the chairman.
O’Neil was sacked on Sunday and within hours, it was reported that Wolves were in talks with Vitor Pereira, who now looks all but certain to succeed O’Neil.
On Sunday evening, Matheus Cunha reacted to the sacking of O’Neil on Instagram. Leon Chiwome also thanked O’Neil on his Instagram Story, but responses from Wolves players to his exit haven’t exactly been plentiful.
But last night, Joao Gomes did send a message in light of the news.
Joao Gomes thanks Gary O’Neil after Wolves sack decision
Joao Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Joao Gomes was one player who responded really well to O’Neil’s arrival at Wolves.
He had been a rotational player under Julen Lopetegui, but following the departure of Ruben Neves, it was his time to partner Mario Lemina in midfield.
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He was the new number eight, and it was potentially going to be a heavy shirt to wear.
But Gomes thrived last term, and O’Neil certainly helped him become the player he is today.
And the Brazilian is evidently grateful to O’Neil for the work he did with him, as he took to Instagram in the wake of his sacking by the club.
Joao Gomes Instagram
© 2024 INSTAGRAM FROM META
He wrote the 13-word message: “Thank you for everything. It was a great pleasure to work with you.”
It was fairly clear that Gomes and O’Neil had a pretty good relationship. Earlier this year, Gomes paid tribute to O’Neil for helping him settle at the club.
Joao Gomes was a big fan of Gary O’Neil
Earlier this year, Gomes was the subject of a documentary by Wolves, which focused on the midfielder’s time at the club since signing from Flamengo.
It featured scenes of Gomes and O’Neil on the training pitch together, with the pair talking tactics.
At one point, Gomes pays tribute to O’Neil, admitting that he actually worried about him more than members of his own family.
He said: “Gary has always been very understanding. Because he knows I left Brazil to come here and it’s a different country, a different culture, another way of playing.
“He gave me a lot of confidence and he made me see that I can be a key player, not just someone people will forget about in two years’ time, but rather someone who can be remembered forever.
“Let me tell you, he is the kind of guy who does everything for us, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help him. He worries a lot more about me than people from my own family, you know? The bond I have with him is great.”
Given this, it’s understandable Gomes was keen to thank O’Neil publicly following his sacking.
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