Gary O’Neil Strips Mario Lemina of Wolves Captaincy After Controversial West Ham Incident
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has confirmed that Mario Lemina is no longer the club’s captain following a heated exchange with Jarrod Bowen after the final whistle in their 2-1 loss to West Ham United on December 9.
The clash, which saw Lemina refuse a handshake from Bowen before being restrained by assistant Shaun Derry, has led to a change in leadership. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wolves’ fixture with Ipswich Town, O’Neil expressed mutual respect for Lemina but acknowledged the need for action following the incident.
Gary O’Neil Breaks Silence on Mario Lemina’s Captaincy After West Ham Row
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil addressed the controversy surrounding Mario Lemina’s captaincy following his altercation with Jarrod Bowen after the West Ham defeat. O’Neil downplayed the incident, stating, “Mario is fine, it was a conversation and nothing more. The other night sparked the conversation, but it was one that had to be had. We now move forward and we’ve dealt with it.”
Despite the tense situation, O’Neil emphasized that the issue has been resolved, and the team is now focused on moving forward.
West Ham Furore Sparks Captaincy Change at Wolves: O’Neil Explains the Shift
The fallout from the West Ham clash has led to a captaincy change at Wolves, with Gary O’Neil revealing that while the situation with Mario Lemina was addressed, discussions about the long-term captaincy were always on the agenda. O’Neil hinted that the incident on Monday played a significant role in bringing the matter to the forefront, even though it may have been something the club had planned to address regardless. The Wolves boss emphasized that the issue has been resolved and the focus is now on moving forward.
Nelson Semedo Takes Over Wolves Captaincy After Lemina Fallout, as West Ham Seek Consistency
In the wake of the controversy with Mario Lemina, Wolves have named Nelson Semedo as their new captain. Meanwhile, West Ham United will aim to build on their crucial 2-1 win over Wolves when they visit Bournemouth on Monday, December 16.
The heated exchange between Lemina and Bowen highlighted the intense rivalry between the two sides, with emotions running high in a match that carried significant implications for both clubs. With Lemina’s captaincy now in the past, Semedo will look to lead Wolves into the next chapter.
“El Sackico” Fallout: O’Neil’s Future at Wolves in Question as Lopetegui Faces Pressure at West Ham
The recent clash between Wolves and West Ham, dubbed “El Sackico” by the broadcast media, has put both managers under intense scrutiny. While Wolves have publicly backed Gary O’Neil, the duration of his job security remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is not out of the woods yet. A poor performance against Bournemouth on December 16 could amplify the criticism surrounding his position, with the club’s fans quick to voice their discontent. Both managers are now facing pivotal matches that could determine their future at the respective clubs.