Wolves Sack Manager Gary O’Neil

Wolves have dismissed manager Gary O’Neil following their 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Multiple sources informed BBC Sport of the 41-year-old’s departure, though the club has yet to confirm the news publicly.

The decision comes just three days after Wolves chairman, Jeff Shi expressed the club’s unity behind O’Neil, despite Monday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham. Saturday’s loss marked Wolves’ 11th Premier League defeat this season, leaving them with only two wins and stuck in 19th place, four points adrift of safety.

O’Neil stepped in to replace Julen Lopetegui just four days before the 2023-24 season began, guiding Wolves to a 14th-place finish. However, the team started this season disastrously, losing seven of their first eight league matches and drawing one.

A brief resurgence, including a four-match unbeaten streak with wins over Southampton and Fulham, gave fans hope. That momentum quickly faded as Wolves suffered back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Everton, followed by losses to West Ham and Ipswich.

Defensive frailty has been a significant issue for Wolves, with the team conceding a league-high 40 goals and allowing two or more goals in 13 of their 16 matches.

In Saturday’s game, a Matt Doherty own goal put them behind before Matheus Cunha equalized. However, Jack Taylor’s 93rd-minute header sealed the defeat.

Off-field troubles have compounded Wolves’ struggles. Mario Lemina lost the captaincy after an altercation with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen on Monday. During Saturday’s match, Rayan Ait-Nouri received a second yellow card in the tunnel for clashing with Ipswich’s Wes Burns. Additionally, Cunha became involved in a heated exchange with Ipswich’s security, reportedly shoving one and ripping off his glasses.

Reflecting on the challenges, O’Neil admitted, “I have never had such a struggle to coach a group of players.”

Before joining Wolves, O’Neil spent a year at Bournemouth during the 2022-23 season. He helped the club avoid relegation but was dismissed and replaced by Andoni Iraola at the end of the campaign.