Wolves appoint Gary O'Neill as new manager after parting ways with Julen Lopetegui

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PREMIER LEAGUE Wolves appoint Gary O'Neill as new manager after parting ways with Julen Lopetegui

Festus Chuma 19:48 - 09.08.2023

Former Bournemouth boss takes the reins, ready to lead Wolves into Premier League season.

Former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil has been unveiled as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, stepping in to replace Julen Lopetegui on a promising three-year contract.

 The announcement comes just three days before the kick-off of the much-anticipated 2023-24 Premier League season, adding an element of intrigue to Wolves' upcoming campaign.

O'Neil, who guided Bournemouth to a 15th-place finish in the previous season, found himself abruptly sacked on June 19th. 

However, his swift return to the managerial scene showcases his resilience and determination.

Wolves' sporting director, Matt Hobbs, expressed his enthusiasm for O'Neil's appointment.

"Gary's a highly motivated young coach with strong principles. We're delighted to welcome him to the club, and we're excited to see what we can achieve together at Wolves,” he stated.

The 40-year-old tactician steps into the limelight as Wolves' fourth manager in just over two years, a testament to the club's ambition for success.

O'Neil's debut challenge in his new role will be no small feat, as Wolves are scheduled to clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.

The selection process to fill Lopetegui's shoes was undoubtedly rigorous, with several candidates under consideration. 

However, O'Neil emerged as the preferred choice, demonstrating the trust the club's hierarchy has in his abilities.

Hobbs emphasized, "Everyone at Wolves is looking forward to welcoming Gary, offering him their full support and working collaboratively to help the club keep pushing forward together."

O'Neil's remarkable journey from player to coach has been punctuated by determination and passion for the sport.

 Having accumulated over 450 appearances as a player for esteemed clubs like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham, QPR, and Norwich, O'Neil's transition to coaching was a natural progression. 

His coaching career began in August 2020 when he assumed the role of assistant manager for Liverpool's Under-23s.

Subsequently, he joined Bournemouth's coaching setup in February 2021 under former manager Jonathan Woodgate.

The path to his current role was accelerated when O'Neil was appointed interim manager for Bournemouth following Scott Parker's dismissal in August 2022. 

His commendable efforts saw him lead the team from a precarious 17th to a safer 14th position in the Premier League. 

O'Neil's tenure at Vitality Stadium was marked by a total of 27 matches across all competitions, resulting in 11 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses. 

The forthcoming Premier League season promises a captivating blend of competition and drama, with O'Neil's appointment injecting an element of unpredictability.