“Gary O’Neil Sacked After Disastrous Start to Season: 8 Potential Candidates to Replace Him at Wolves”

After a string of disappointing results and a dire start to the Premier League season, Gary O’Neil has been relieved of his duties as Wolves manager. The writing had been on the wall for some time, as the team’s poor form left them deep in a relegation battle. The final blow came in the form of a humiliating 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town at Molineux, a result that sealed O’Neil’s fate.

While O’Neil had some memorable moments during his time with the club, including key victories and moments of optimism, his tenure was ultimately marred by inconsistent performances and an inability to turn the team’s fortunes around. With the club now facing a real threat of relegation, Wolves are looking for a new direction, and several high-profile names have already been linked to the job.

In this article, Molineux News takes a closer look at eight potential candidates who could be brought in to steer Wolves out of their current predicament and back to stability. The pressure is on for the next manager to deliver immediate results and ensure the club’s survival in the Premier League.

“Arguably the most experienced manager on this list, David Moyes has been out of a job since the summer after his departure from Premier League side West Ham.

The Scotsman enjoyed a period of great success with the Hammers, consistently guiding the club to European competition and establishing them as a solid Premier League force. Moyes’ most notable achievement came in 2023 when he led West Ham to their first-ever Europa League title, marking the peak of his tenure at the club.

Given his track record of stabilizing clubs in difficult situations and his ability to deliver impressive results on the European stage, Moyes could be a strong contender to take over at Molineux. His experience in high-pressure environments and his no-nonsense approach to management could provide the stability Wolves need as they battle to avoid relegation.”

“On top of his success at West Ham, David Moyes also boasts a long and accomplished managerial career that includes a significant spell at Everton, where he earned a reputation for steadying the ship and consistently overachieving with limited resources. Moyes’ time at Goodison Park saw him guide Everton to multiple top-half finishes and European qualifications, making him a beloved figure at the club.

His career has also included high-profile roles at Manchester United, where he faced the daunting task of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as stints at Real Sociedad, Sunderland, and Preston North End. While his time at United and Sunderland was less successful, his extensive experience in managing clubs of varying stature has given Moyes the adaptability and resilience needed to tackle tough challenges — qualities that would serve him well at Wolves as they look to avoid relegation and rebuild their squad for the future.”

“Graham Potter was once considered one of the brightest up-and-coming English managers, and for good reason. His rise to prominence began with Östersund in Sweden, where he worked wonders with limited resources, leading the club to unexpected success in domestic and European competitions. This caught the attention of the football world, and Potter quickly moved to the Championship, where he continued his rise with Swansea City, impressing with his tactical flexibility and attacking football.

Potter’s success earned him a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, where he truly made a name for himself. At Brighton, Potter was lauded for his attractive football and his ability to get results while working with a tight budget, establishing the Seagulls as a solid Premier League side.

However, his high-profile move to Chelsea in September 2022 proved to be a difficult challenge. Despite significant investment in the squad, Potter struggled to implement his style of play and manage the expectations at a club of Chelsea’s size. His tenure was cut short in April 2023, when he was dismissed following a disappointing run of results.

For Wolves, securing Potter could be seen as a major coup. Despite his struggles at Chelsea, his track record with Brighton and Swansea proves he has the ability to adapt and build teams that play intelligent, possession-based football. If appointed, Potter would need to quickly regain his confidence and composure to turn Wolves’ season around and ensure their survival in the Premier League.”

“The former Wolves star has made a highly successful transition into management so far, quickly establishing himself as a promising young manager. After initially excelling as the Wolves Under-23s manager, he went on to make a significant impact at Forest Green Rovers, where he led the team to promotion to League One.

Following this success, he had a brief stint at Watford, which was followed by his move to Luton Town. At Luton, he achieved a remarkable feat by guiding the Hatters to the Premier League, securing promotion via the playoffs. Many had predicted that Luton would struggle in the top flight, but Edwards impressed with his tactical nous and the resilience of his team, challenging expectations and making a positive mark in the Premier League.

However, Luton has faced a difficult start to their current season back in the Championship, sitting in the bottom half of the table as they struggle to recapture the form that earned them their promotion. Despite these challenges, Edwards’ reputation as a manager who can work wonders with limited resources remains strong, and his experience could make him an appealing candidate for Wolves as they look to rebuild and avoid relegation.”

“A potential outsider for the Wolves job, Mark Robins has gained widespread recognition for his recent success at Coventry City. Taking charge of the West Midlands club for the second time in 2017, Robins was tasked with leading the club back to relevance after their relegation to League Two. He succeeded in spectacular fashion, guiding Coventry back into the Championship after securing both the League One title and the EFL Trophy.

Under Robins, Coventry went from strength to strength, and in 2023, they came agonizingly close to returning to the Premier League, losing out in the playoff final to Luton Town by the narrowest of margins. His tenure also saw a historic FA Cup run, where he masterminded a memorable 3-2 victory over Wolves in the quarter-finals, only for Coventry to be knocked out on penalties by Manchester United in the semi-finals.

However, despite these achievements, Coventry’s poor start to the 2024/25 Championship season led to a surprising and controversial decision to part ways with Robins in November 2024. While some may see this as a potential setback, his ability to work with limited resources and achieve remarkable results could make him an intriguing option for Wolves, especially if the club is looking for a manager who knows how to build a team from the ground up.”

“A favourite amongst the Molineux faithful to take the job, Sérgio Conceição has had an outstanding start to his managerial career and could be an intriguing option for Wolves. The Portuguese manager made his name at various clubs across Europe, showcasing his tactical prowess and ability to build competitive teams. His big break came in 2017 when he was appointed as manager of Porto, where he enjoyed significant success.

During his time at Porto, Conceição’s tenure was marked by exceptional achievements, including winning 11 trophies, three of which were league titles. His impressive track record at Porto included dominating the domestic scene and consistently competing in European competitions, with his sides known for their high-intensity, aggressive football.

While Wolves may face a tough challenge in attracting a manager of Conceição’s caliber, the club has proven in the past that they can pull off unexpected managerial coups, such as when they brought in Nuno Espírito Santo from the Championship. Given Conceição’s success at Porto and his experience in managing top-tier clubs, he could be the perfect candidate to take charge of Wolves and lead them out of their current slump, if the club can manage to secure his services.”

“The Aberdeen manager, Jimmy Thelin, has had a sensational start in Scotland since taking charge of the Dons in the summer. In a remarkably short space of time, Thelin has transformed the club into early title contenders, winning 15 of his first 17 games in charge. His impressive record has caught the attention of many, including Wolves, with the 46-year-old being linked to the Molineux job earlier this season.

Thelin’s rise in management has been rapid, and his ability to get the best out of his players has earned him widespread acclaim. While his success in Scotland has undoubtedly showcased his managerial talent, the question remains whether he has the necessary experience to make the jump to the Premier League. Transitioning from a league like Scotland’s Premiership to England’s top flight is a significant step up, and it will be interesting to see if Wolves are willing to take a chance on such a promising, yet relatively inexperienced, manager at the highest level.”

“A manager perhaps not as well known to Wolves fans as some others on this list, Vítor Pereira would bring a wealth of experience to Molineux. Currently managing Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, Pereira has been a well-travelled and successful manager, having had stints at several top clubs over the years, including Porto, Al Ahli, Fenerbahçe, and Corinthians.

Pereira’s track record is impressive, with the Portuguese manager winning four league titles, including two during his time at Porto. His ability to manage high-pressure situations and achieve success at major clubs across Europe and the Middle East speaks to his tactical acumen and adaptability.

It will be music to Wolves fans’ ears that he’s done a strong job at the majority of these clubs, and according to reputable sources like David Ornstein, Pereira has been linked with the Wolves job. Ornstein has reported that the club is in talks with Al Shabab over the release clause in Pereira’s contract, suggesting that this could be a real possibility for the Premier League side. If Wolves can secure him, they would be gaining a manager with proven success across multiple leagues, making Pereira an intriguing candidate to guide them through their current struggles.”

“A Manchester United and Premier League legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been out of work since 2021 when he was sacked from his role at Old Trafford. Despite a mixed tenure at Manchester United, the Norwegian manager enjoyed a relatively successful period, with a win rate of 54% and reaching the final of the Europa League. His time at United was marked by highs, including significant victories over top clubs, but ultimately, the pressure of managing one of the biggest clubs in the world led to his departure.

However, Solskjær’s experience in a relegation battle is limited, with his last real test in such a scenario coming back in 2014, when he was tasked with managing Cardiff City. Unfortunately for Solskjær, he couldn’t prevent the club from being relegated, and his tenure at Cardiff ended in disappointment.

While Solskjær’s Premier League experience and managerial pedigree might make him an attractive candidate for Wolves, it remains to be seen whether his skill set aligns with the urgent needs of a team battling relegation. His past achievements with United do suggest he could handle the pressure, but he will have to prove himself in a survival fight if he were to take the reins at Molineux.”