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Ipswich Town have ended their managerial search by appointing a head coach whose career journey spans the Premier League, the Championship, and most recently the French top flight, bringing in a manager whose reputation has grown steadily with every role he has taken on.
The Suffolk club have moved quickly to install their new man at the helm as they look to stabilise and build following a difficult period.
The appointment carries genuine excitement, not just because of what the incoming manager has achieved at his previous clubs, but because of the trajectory he has been on since his first steps into professional coaching five years ago.
The club has now officially confirmed Gary O’Neil and the manager.
“It is an honour to be appointed Manager of this great football club,” O’Neil said.
“I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by.”
“There is a strong vision and ambition at this club and I am fully aware of the responsibility that brings, given how much it means to its supporters and to the community of Ipswich and Suffolk.”
“We all know the challenge ahead as we prepare for the season together and I’m excited to meet everyone and get to work.”
He joined Liverpool’s Under-23 setup as assistant manager, working under Barry Lewtas to help bridge the gap between academy development and first-team demands.
It was a brief but formative stint, lasting only six months before Bournemouth came calling for his services in a senior first-team capacity in February 2021.
Thrust into the caretaker role in August 2022 following Scott Parker’s sudden dismissal, O’Neil inherited a newly promoted side widely tipped for immediate relegation.
He steadied the club, earned the permanent appointment, and guided the Cherries to safety with a level of tactical composure that drew widespread admiration.
He was replaced by Andoni Iraola in the summer of 2023, ironically the same man who has now taken over at Liverpool.
Wolverhampton Wanderers came next, where O’Neil took charge days before the 2023-24 season kicked off following Julen Lopetegui’s abrupt exit.
He implemented a disciplined 3-4-2-1 system, secured a 14th-place finish, and steered the club to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
A difficult start to the following campaign, hampered significantly by injuries, led to his departure in December 2024.
Rather than wait for an immediate Premier League return, O’Neil took a bold decision and moved to France, joining Strasbourg in January 2026.
He guided the club to an eighth-place Ligue 1 finish and an impressive run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League.