Gary O’Neil has reportedly withdrawn from consideration for the vacant Wolverhampton Wanderers managerial position, just days after being linked with a return to the Premier League club. The news comes as Wolves search for a replacement following O’Neil’s dismissal in December 2024.
O’Neil, who was sacked by Wolves after failing to secure a win in the frist 10 games of the 2024-25 campaign, currently manages Middlesbrough and appears committed to his role there. His potential appointment at Molineux would have marked a swift and unexpected return for the former Wolves coach.
The 40-year-old previously served as Wolves’ Under-23 coach and first-team coach, even taking charge for two games as interim manager in 2016.He publicly distanced himself from the speculation, stating, ”I was told by my daughter yesterday [Sunday] so that probably tells you where I stand on it.”
“You know my links to the club but my full focus is on this job here, which is a brilliant job, and trying to turn things around from the weekend in a really big game against Leicester,” O’Neil added. ”Speculation stuff is hard for me to comment about, anything else other than Middlesbrough, which is where my focus is, that we’ve done a decent job so far.”
Wolves have a well-documented history of appointing managers with connections to prominent agent Jorge Mendes, including Nuno Espirito Santo, Bruno Lage, and Pereira. Sources indicate that alongside O’Neil, the club was also in discussions with at least one other manager represented by Mendes.
Middlesbrough would likely demand a critically important compensation fee should Wolves pursue O’Neil, presenting a further obstacle to any potential deal.
