Wolverhampton Wanderers could bring a familiar face back to Molineux in quick time
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter and Jonathan Veal and George Sessions PA
10:34, 03 Nov 2025Updated 10:40, 03 Nov 2025
Gary O'Neil looks on
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Former Wolves and Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil(Image: Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United's relegation rivals, could look to bring back former manager Gary O'Neil after giving the boot to Vitor Pereira - just weeks after he inked a new long-term contract.
Pereira took the reins from O'Neil last December and steered the Molineux club clear of the drop zone, notably pulling off a double victory over Manchester United.
Despite a 16th-placed finish and the loss of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United this summer, Pereira signed a fresh deal on 16 September following a rocky start to the new season.
However, this failed to yield better results, with Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Fulham stretching Wolves' winless run in the Premier League to 10 games. This came hot on the heels of a clash between Pereira, his players and Wolves fans at Molineux following a 3-2 home loss to Burnley.
The latest setback at Fulham, which Pereira dubbed the worst performance of his tenure, spurred Wolves' owners into action. Sky Bet and other bookmakers put O'Neil as the current frontrunner to replace his initial successor.
The former Bournemouth boss - who won one and lost the other in two meetings against Leeds - first took over Wolves in 2023, and soon guided them to a win over then-champions Manchester City.
In his first season, he reached the FA Cup quarter finals and guided the club to a 14th-place finish. The following season started poorly and O'Neil was eventually shown the door 10 days before last Christmas with the side languishing in 19th.
Currently, Wolves are stuck to the foot of the Premier League table with a mere two points, with Leeds sitting nine points ahead.
Saturday's defeat at Brighton means September's 3-1 win at Molineux remains the only points - and goals - United have registered away from home in five attempts so far.
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