Former Wolves manager in talks over shock return | OneFootball

Wolves open talks over unexpected O’Neil reunion

Few stories twist the managerial carousel quite like this one. Wolves, anchored to the foot of the Premier League after a chaotic start, are in advanced discussions over bringing Gary O’Neil back to Molineux. It arrives only 11 months after his dismissal and immediately injects intrigue into the club’s latest reset.

According to The Telegraph, Wolves have moved swiftly after removing Vitor Pereira, and O’Neil is now, in their words, “emerging as the leading contender to take over at the Premier League’s bottom club, 11 months after he was sacked by them.” It is football’s version of receipts being revisited, decisions re-examined and narratives rewound.

Context around the return

O’Neil is available, experienced and familiar with Molineux’s corridors. He guided Wolves to 14th and reached an FA Cup quarter final in his first full campaign before being dismissed after a difficult run. As The Telegraph highlighted, “His appointment is likely to divide opinion among supporters but O’Neil ticks a lot of boxes as he has Premier League experience and knowledge of the squad.”

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He has not been shy in readiness either. In an interview with the newspaper, he said: “I love being in football. I love being unbelievably busy and being tested with loads of different tasks and things being thrown at you… I’m keen to get going and make a real impact.” He also claimed, “When the next one comes around they’re going to get the better version of me.”

Why Wolves are here

Pereira’s reign unravelled quickly. Bottom of the table, eight defeats in 10 league matches, and without a win at this stage for a second straight campaign, Wolves have set unwanted history. The Telegraph wrote that Wolves “took drastic action with the club bottom of the table following a nightmare start to the season.”

For a club whose recruitment and leadership have been questioned since Julen Lopetegui’s turbulent exit last year, this situation feels like part déjà vu and part consequence.

Risk, reward and reaction

O’Neil’s return, if finalised, offers organisational familiarity and clarity of approach. Yet it also highlights Wolves’ struggle to define long term vision. Football can be circular, but rarely is the circle this tight. For supporters, the emotional blend will be complex, somewhere between hope and caution.

There are alternative targets, including Rob Edwards, who remains admired, but momentum has swung strongly. The club hope to complete the appointment before facing Chelsea this weekend.

Outlook for Wolves

Staying in the Premier League is the singular task. Wolves need structure, tactical calm and belief. O’Neil demonstrated he can steady waters, and he insists perception should be positive. “I don’t think the perception of me would be overly bad because I’ve done two Premier League jobs,” he told The Telegraph.

If appointed, he inherits turbulence but also opportunity. Redemption arcs are powerful in football culture, and Molineux may soon live inside one.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

Wolves fans have every right to feel torn and more than a little exhausted. This club keeps finding new ways to make the heart work overtime. When Gary O’Neil left, many of us argued he deserved more time. Now here we are, staring at the same door swinging back open because things have gone wrong again. It feels like a film we watched too recently.

O’Neil did steady the ship last time, he squeezed results out of a stretched squad and managed the chaos well. But will this second act bring progress or just more firefighting? Wolves being winless at this stage two seasons running is not a coincidence, it is a symptom. Ownership needs direction, recruitment needs a plan and supporters need something more than short term firefighting.

We know O’Neil will turn up full of energy and confidence. He is good at that siege mentality, us-against-everyone mood. Still, there is fear. Not because he cannot coach, but because the cycle at this club keeps spinning without change. The biggest worry is not the manager, it is the structure above him. If this works, many will scream we should never have let him go. If it fails, the spiral deepens.

Right now most Wolves supporters would accept survival by any means. Stability would feel like silverware. But this needs to be the last reset for a long while. Europe feels a lifetime ago. For the moment, safety is glory enough.