Wolves fans, already disheartened by the club’s poor form, have been vocal in their calls for Gary O’Neil to be sacked.
Yet, despite back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Everton, followed by a 2-1 loss to West Ham, O’Neil remains in charge.
The clash with West Ham was billed as a must-win for O’Neil, not just for Wolves’ faltering season but to save his job. Despite showing flashes of promise, the Old Gold ultimately fell short.
The final whistle brought further drama, with Mario Lemina clashing with Jarrad Bowen in a heated scuffle, and O’Neil later addressing fans about his future.
The 41-year-old manager claimed he retains the board’s support, but it has since emerged that Wolves are actively exploring replacements behind the scenes.
Wolves Begin Search for O’Neil’s Successor
While O’Neil continues to lead the team, the club has already initiated discussions with potential successors.
Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter was approached last month, and ex-West Ham manager David Moyes has also been linked to the role.
Both candidates bring a wealth of Premier League experience, which is reportedly a key requirement for Wolves’ hierarchy.
However, Fosun’s self-sustainable model and perceived lack of investment in managers have made the job unappealing.
Neither Potter nor Moyes has expressed enthusiasm for working under the current ownership structure.
Sky Sports journalist Johnny Phillips, writing on Blue Sky, confirmed Wolves are searching for a new manager but stressed the urgency of the situation.
“Wolves’ head coach situation not pleasant for all involved,” Phillips wrote.
“Club actively seeking replacements but aware of the need to get a swift resolution while not further alienating the fanbase, who have become vocal in criticism of Gary O’Neil – who took the West Ham game despite all this.”
O’Neil’s record since April has been dismal, with just two wins to his name and Wolves sitting with the Premier League’s worst defensive record.
While the sales of key players in the summer without adequate replacements haven’t helped his cause, the results on the pitch have left his position untenable.
The bigger challenge for Wolves, however, lies in finding a quality replacement. Fosun’s unwillingness to back managers financially and their desire for control over operations have deterred top candidates.
Wolves need a manager with Premier League experience willing to operate under these constraints, a combination that is proving difficult to secure. This dilemma explains the delay in O’Neil’s dismissal and leaves the club in a precarious position.
