Imagine the jaw-dropping twist in the soccer world: A manager booted out just 11 months ago was on the verge of a stunning comeback to the very club that showed him the door—until he abruptly pulled the plug! This isn't just any story; it's a rollercoaster of managerial drama at Wolves, the struggling Premier League side fighting for survival. But here's where it gets controversial... Could this near-miss reveal deeper cracks in the team's rebuilding efforts, or is it a sign that Wolves are desperate enough to chase any familiar face? Stick around, because there's more intrigue ahead that most fans might overlook.
Let's break it down for those new to the high-stakes world of English football. Gary O'Neil, a 42-year-old coach with a passion for the game, had been seriously considered for a shock return as Wolves' new manager. This comes after he was unexpectedly sacked last December, and now, he was tantalizingly close to replacing Vitor Pereira. Pereira, who took over from O'Neil back then, was himself dismissed on Sunday following a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Fulham. That loss left Wolves eight points adrift from safety and firmly planted at the bottom of the Premier League table. To put this in perspective for beginners, the Premier League is England's top football division, and finishing in the bottom three teams means relegation—dropping to a lower league, which can be a financial and reputational disaster. Wolves have scraped together just two points from their first 10 games, a grim statistic that no Premier League side has ever overcome to stay up. It's a stark reminder of how unforgiving the league can be, where every match feels like a life-or-death battle.
According to sources close to BBC Sport, O'Neil had nearly sealed the deal with Wolves, but he decided to step back from the negotiations. This potential reunion would have been a surprise, especially since he had ruled out a comeback earlier in the year. After sitting out for 11 months—during which he even missed out on the Norwich City job to Liam Manning in the summer—O'Neil's stance shifted, leading him to switch agents in hopes of landing the perfect opportunity. And this is the part most people miss... His 12-month severance package from Wolves means he's still collecting a paycheck from the club that fired him, creating an awkward financial tie that might have influenced his decisions.
As Wolves scramble for a new boss, other names are floating around. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen in September after a forgettable three-game stint, has caught their eye. They're also in talks with several other candidates. Interestingly, Rob Edwards, the current Middlesbrough manager, was mentioned as a contender. Edwards has strong ties to Wolves—he was their Under-23 coach and even had a brief two-game interim role in 2016. However, he's firmly committed to Middlesbrough, where he's focused on turning around their fortunes after a tough weekend. 'I was told by my daughter yesterday, so that probably tells you where I stand on it,' Edwards quipped, emphasizing his dedication to the job and steering clear of speculation. Middlesbrough would likely demand substantial compensation if he left, making it a complicated prospect.
Wolves have a notable pattern here: They've often turned to managers linked to the influential agent Jorge Mendes, including Nuno Espirito Santo, Bruno Lage, and Pereira. It's believed that, alongside O'Neil, they were chatting with at least one other Mendes-associated coach. O'Neil's departure from Wolves last December came after a dismal start to the 2024-25 season, where the team couldn't win a single one of their first 10 games—a trend eerily repeating this campaign despite the changes.
But here's where the controversy really heats up. Would O'Neil's return have been a smart move or a recipe for disaster? Sources warned that working under executive chairman Jeff Shi—a key figure in the club's decisions—might complicate things, especially with the recent overhaul in the backroom staff. Former sporting director Matt Hobbs, who once bridged gaps, departed in the summer, and Domenico Teti, who collaborated with Pereira at Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia, stepped in as director of football in June. Shi himself admitted in the summer that Wolves waited too long to sack O'Neil last season. On top of that, several players O'Neil highly valued—like Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Nelson Semedo—have left the club. Wolves struggled even with them on board, failing to secure a win in those opening 10 games last year. So, if O'Neil had come back, would he have stood a chance without his preferred squad? It's a thorny question that could split opinions: Was this a case of Wolves clinging to familiarity in a crisis, or a missed opportunity to bring back proven leadership?
What do you think, football fans? Should Wolves have pursued O'Neil more aggressively, or is it time to look elsewhere for fresh ideas? Do you agree that relying on Mendes-linked managers is a strength or a weakness for the club? Share your takes in the comments—let's debate!
