After Middlesbrough, Sheffield United snubs it's clear time is ticking for 42-year-old | OneFootball

Gary O'Neil set to miss out on Boro and Sheffield United jobs as pressure grows to return to management and rebuild his reputation.

Out of work since December, Gary O'Neil had been linked with the Sheffield United job. However, the club wants to head in a different direction.

Ex-Hull City boss Ruben Selles is now the man lined up to take charge at Bramall Lane and replace Chris Wilder.

O'Neil had previously been linked with the vacant role at Middlesbrough, but that opportunity seems to have passed as ex-Luton boss Rob Edwards is now in line to take charge at the Riverside.

The 42-year-old was dismissed by Wolves midway through the Premier League season after a turbulent start that left the club languishing in the relegation zone.

While his time at Molineux ended on a sour note, it wasn't without moments of promise. With Championship jobs slipping away, O'Neil may need to act quickly if he hopes to rebuild his reputation at a high level.

Middlesbrough and Sheffield United snub Gary O'Neil

With Edwards poised to take the Boro job, O'Neil is set to miss out on a return to the club, where he made 120 appearances as a player between 2007 and 2011.

The same can be said with Sheffield United. The club's new owners, COH Sports, reportedly want a fresh direction as they prepare for another season in the Championship, ruling O'Neil out of the running despite his top-flight experience. Selles will be their choice to replace Wilder.

Both clubs would have offered ideal landing spots as promotion-chasing sides, familiar league terrain, and a chance to reset. For O'Neil, missing out on both represents a frustrating blow.

Gary O'Neil's credentials prove that he deserves another shot

While his time at Wolves ended sourly, his stint wasn't without merit. In fact, looking beyond the headlines reveals a manager who steered Wolves to periods of stability and promise.

He rose to prominence at Bournemouth in the 2022/23 term, where he steadied a relegation-threatened side and guided them to safety with an impressive 10 wins. His man-management and ability to work under pressure were heavily praised during that campaign.

He further built on that at Wolves in patches, overseeing wins against Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea as his side finished 14th, while coming out on top in an all-crucial Black Country derby against West Brom in the FA Cup.

However, the form of his side in the opening half of his second year in charge ultimately cost him.

Time is ticking as O'Neil's next move remains unclear

For a manager still only 42, there's plenty of time for O'Neil to re-establish himself. But the longer he remains out of work, the more difficult that path could become.

Championship clubs in Middlesbrough and Sheffield United specifically offered ideal platforms as ambitious sides with Premier League aspirations, solid squads, and fan bases that value hard work and identity.

Now, with both doors seemingly closed, O'Neil may have to look further down the ladder or wait for early-season casualties to open the managerial merry-go-round once again.

There is no doubt that he possesses potential. He's shown resilience, tactical intelligence, and the ability to unify dressing rooms.

However, in football, memories are short and reputations can fade quickly. If the right opportunity doesn't arrive soon, he could risk falling out of managerial conversations entirely.