Wolves have decided to back under-fire manager Gary O’Neil despite their 2-1 loss to West Ham in a match cruelly dubbed “El Sackio.”
While Julen Lopetegui, now managing the Hammers, claimed the victory in this showdown of struggling bosses, Wolves’ hierarchy remains steadfast in their support of O’Neil.
According to The Telegraph, Wolves are keen to avoid making a rash decision on O’Neil’s future.
The club intends to provide him with the necessary support to turn the season around, including financial backing in the January transfer window.
However, O’Neil knows he must deliver improved results in key upcoming matches against Ipswich and Leicester to remain in charge when the transfer window opens.
O’Neil Defiant Despite Mounting Pressure
O’Neil, who was appointed in August to replace Lopetegui, finds his position increasingly precarious after a third consecutive defeat left Wolves second from bottom in the Premier League, four points from safety.
However, the 41-year-old insists he is a better manager than he was last season and remains confident he can guide Wolves out of trouble.
“I understand the noise and the scrutiny, but when I arrived at this football club, it had just achieved 39 points in the Premier League,” O’Neil explained.
“Since then, we’ve managed to sell £200m worth of talent. If you start at 39 and you take away £200m worth of talent, there’s a fair chance that it’s going to be tough.”
He added: “We were tipped to be relegated by every pundit in the country pretty much last season and we achieved some unbelievable things.”
O’Neil highlighted the financial constraints under which he has been working, pointing to the sales of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto for a combined £100m and the departure of key players such as Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Adama Traore.
“I’m confident we can turn it around,” he said. “While we have this togetherness, I’m always confident we can find a way. I know I’m a better coach than I was last year.”
Emotional Night at West Ham
Goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen, either side of Matt Doherty’s equaliser, eased the pressure on Lopetegui.
The night also carried emotional weight, as West Ham paid tribute to Michail Antonio, who faces a long hospital recovery after a serious car crash over the weekend.
West Ham players wore “Antonio 9” shirts before kick-off, and their signed match jerseys and pre-match jackets are being auctioned to support the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. The auction has already raised more than £20,000.
Lopetegui said: “I am happy for the players to have the possibility to dedicate this victory to Mick and his family. They deserve this.”
For Wolves, however, the focus remains on survival, with O’Neil needing swift results to secure his position and steady the ship.
