Former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been out of work since he was dismissed at Molineux in December 2024.
As Wolves sat five points from safety on matchday 16, the decision was made to pull the plug on O’Neil’s project.
Fortunately, Vitor Pereira arrived to turn things around, proving that the club’s call was the right one.
In the former manager’s defence, O’Neil was not supported sufficiently by Fosun, which is a tale fans have regrettably become acclimatised to.
That being said, the Englishman’s tactics grew stale as Wolves were strong candidates for relegation, with change certainly needed at the time.
Gary O'Neil of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Gary O’Neil spotted at Manchester City training
A return to management is in conversation for the coach, as O’Neil was recently interviewed by Leicester City over their vacancy.
Despite not having a documented job role in football at present, O’Neil is back in the game, as the ex-Wolves manager was spotted at a training session of a Premier League club.
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On X, Manchester City news provider City Xtra reported that O’Neil was present at one of City’s open training sessions at the Joie Stadium.
O’Neil was seen in attendance, as was City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana, with the reason for the English coach’s presence unknown.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
O’Neil’s managerial record in the Premier League
The hiring of O’Neil came at a difficult time, as the Englishman was appointed at Wolves following the swift exit of Julen Lopetegui.
With little time to prepare, the former manager did rather well in his first season, taking his Wolves squad to the FA Cup quarter-finals and securing a 14th-place finish.
Season Club Matches Wins Draws Losses Points per match
2024/25 Wolves 16 2 2 11 0.56
2023/24 Wolves 38 13 7 18 1.21
2022/23 Bournemouth 34 10 6 18 1.06
Gary O’Neil’s Premier League record – Transfermarkt
An underwhelming summer transfer window and an incredibly poor start to the 2024/25 season, which saw Wolves concede an eyewatering 40 goals in 16 games, led O’Neil to the end of his tenure at Molineux.
By the time O’Neil was sacked, fans had lost all trust, which is fair when looking at the 42-year-old’s record at the club.
In his final season, Wolves averaged only 0.56 points per match under O’Neil, leading him to the end of the road in the West Midlands.