Wolves have sacked manager Gary O’Neil just days after chairman Jeff Shi publicly backed him to turn the club’s fortunes around.
O’Neil’s position had been under scrutiny following a string of poor results, with Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham – dubbed “El Sackico” – intensifying speculation.
Although Shi offered his support in the immediate aftermath, Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 loss to relegation rivals Ipswich Town proved to be the final straw.
The defeat, sealed by a 94th-minute Ipswich winner, leaves Wolves languishing in 19th place in the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety.
Fans had already turned on O’Neil during the 4-0 drubbing at Everton earlier this month, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “you don’t know what you’re doing.”
A Frustrated O’Neil Defends His Tenure
Despite the mounting pressure, O’Neil had insisted he was the right man for the job. Following the West Ham defeat, he highlighted Wolves’ significant transfer business as a key factor behind their struggles.
“When I arrived at this football club, they had picked up just [41] points in the Premier League,” O’Neil explained.
“Since that moment, we have managed to make £200m in player sales.
“We have sold an awful lot of players if you go back to Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Daniel Podence, Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez, Diego Costa, Pedro Neto, and Max Kilman.
“And then we’re not now shopping in that market. We’re looking for the other ones who are for the future that can help us in the now. As we’re finding in the Premier League, it’s a ruthless league.”
O’Neil also expressed pride in his players despite their precarious league position.
“The group are doing everything we can to get up to speed. But I’m really proud of them,” he said.
“I know we have only nine points and we’re in a tough spot, but they’re giving everything.
“We won’t give up and we’ll keep pushing. A big game against Ipswich is coming. And hopefully a few of the little bits, our bits, the bits from the officials go our way.”
O’Neil’s hopes, however, were dashed, and Shi has now decided a change is necessary to steer Wolves away from danger. The search for a new manager begins immediately.
