Gary O'Neil will be named as the new manager of Wolves TODAY
Gary O’Neil will be named as the new manager of Wolves TODAY after Julen Lopetegui left three days before the start of the Premier League season
- Lopetegui left Wolves due to disagreements over the club’s transfer policy
- The club were impressed with the job O’Neil did at Bournemouth last season
- O’Neil is keen to use the academy and build them up to the first team
Gary O’Neil will be named as the new manager of Wolves later today, replacing Julen Lopetegui.
The West Midlands side have been left without a manager just three days before the start of the Premier League season, after Lopetegui agreed a seven-figure compensation package to leave the club.
They have wasted no time in finding a replacement, with Mail Sport understanding that O’Neil will be announced as the new manager at the Molineux.
Wolves have chosen O’Neil because of the excellent job he did at Bournemouth last season in helping them stay up in the Premier League.
Bournemouth were expected by many to be relegated last season, but O’Neil who replaced Scott Parker in August 2022, kept the Cherries in the top-flight.
Gary O’Neil is set to become the new manager of Wolves replacing Julen Lopetegui in the role
The 40-year-old was sacked by Bournemouth earlier this summer despite leading them to a 15th-placed finish – when not many people gave them much hope of avoiding the drop
The 40-year-old was dismissed by Bournemouth who replaced him with Andoni Iraola in June, despite picking up 36 points and guiding them to a 15th-placed finish.
At Wolves, he could be set to face a similar challenge, with many people expecting them to be in the fight to avoid the drop this season.
O’Neil is a young English coach who will come into a dressing room where the core of the team includes Craig Dawson, Max Kilmann, Matt Doherty and keeper Daniel Bentley who also a big voice in the team.
He is also set to be appointed de to his work with top-level foreign players at the Cherries, which he can relate to the likes of Matheus Nunes.
O’Neil is said to be pumped to be joining a club the size of Wolves and is excited to build a special bond with the club’s supporters.
He is keen to use the academy and build their players up through to the first-team ranks.
Wolves could be in for a difficult first few games given O’Neil’s lack of pre-season, though it’s hoped he will help make a positive impact once he gets to grips with the side.
Lopetegui’s sudden Wolves exit came due to disagreements over the club’s transfer policy.
Lopetegui left the club following a breakdown in relationship over the club’s transfer policy
The situation at Wolves is that of financial uncertainty, with chairman Jeff Shi writing an open letter on the club’s website last week, explaining the need to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
Shi wrote: ‘As the owners and management of the club, one important thing we must learn and follow is the Premier League’s rules on profit and sustainability (formerly called financial fair play or abbreviated to FFP). Before the end of 2023/24 season there will be an annual test and we are going to make sure we pass it, as we have done in the last five seasons.’
To hit that target, Wolves have recouped £91million in player sales this summer, including the £47m departure of captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
They have added only defender Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King on free transfers, leading to Lopetegui’s anger.
Wolves counter that they backed Lopetegui heavily last January, sanctioning deals worth up to £77m, after also committing more than £120m in fees 12 months ago.
Some of the money spent in January had been originally set aside for the summer but Wolves decided to use it early to give themselves a better chance of survival.
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