Wolves’ decision to replace Gary O’Neil with Vitor Pereira has proven to be a good one, but criticism of the side’s former manager may be a little too harsh.
O’Neil was named Wolves manager in August 2023 and did a good job keeping the side in the Premier League in his first season. Things quickly turned sour though…
After winning just two of the first 16 matches this season, O’Neil was sacked by Wolves in December.
READ: Vitor Pereira admits tactical realisation at Wolves, it could mean significant change for Joao Gomes
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Gary O’Neil’s final Wolves warning
Just hours before O’Neil departed Molineux, he issued a clear warning to whichever manager would agree to take over.
In his final press conference following a chaotic 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, O’Neil spoke honestly about the difficulties he faced and highlighted Wolves’ defensive frailties as the area most in need of change.
“We’re not blessed with loads of defenders, we’re definitely not blessed with lots of physicality in defence,” he told Birmingham World.
Centre-Backs Under Gary O’Neil Age
Toti Gomes 26
Santiago Bueno 26
Yerson Mosquera* 23
Craig Dawson 34
Bastien Meupiyou 18
*Long-term injury
O’Neil also noted Wolves’ failure to replace former captain Max Kilman and the impact Yerson Mosquera’s injury was having.
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“I’ve never had such a struggle with a group before… I tried everything I know and it hasn’t worked,” he added.
O’Neil was fired from his position just 18 hours later.
Vitor Pereira listened
Vitor Pereira was confirmed as Wolves’ new manager on 19th December, 2024, and has done well since arriving.
The former Porto and Corinthians boss hit the ground running and took seven points from a possible nine in his first three games in charge, including securing a 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
The January transfer window opened after those first three games, and one of Pereira’s first pieces of business was to sign Emmanuel Agbadou from Stade Reims.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Agbadou joined Wolves for less than £20 million and was crowned the club’s ‘Player of the Month’ in his first month. He has maintained the same importance since.
Nasser Djiga was also brought in during the winter window, although more care is being given to integrating the young, and inexperienced, centre-back.
Nevertheless, prioritising new defensive signings has been Pereira’s biggest, and most significant, contribution since arriving. The 56-year-old recognised the same issues O’Neil did but was allowed the chance to rectify them.
Although the club are happy with Pereira, it does make you wonder which defenders O’Neil would’ve tried to sign and whether or not they’d have had the same impact as Agbadou.