Wolverhampton Wanderers have dismissed manager Gary O’Neil following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, sources have confirmed to BBC Sport. While the club has not made an official announcement, the decision comes just days after Wolves chairman Jeff Shi had publicly backed O’Neil, following a 2-1 loss to West Ham.
O’Neil’s exit follows a challenging start to the season for Wolves, who have now suffered 11 defeats in the Premier League, with only two wins. The latest setback leaves them 19th in the league, four points from safety. O’Neil had been appointed just days before the 2023-24 season started, replacing Julen Lopetegui, and helped guide Wolves to a 14th-place finish last year.
However, this season has been a struggle from the outset. Wolves endured a poor start, losing seven and drawing one of their first eight matches. Despite a brief revival, including four unbeaten games and victories over Southampton and Fulham, the team quickly fell back into their losing ways, with defeats to Bournemouth, Everton, West Ham, and Ipswich.
Defensively, Wolves have been vulnerable, conceding a league-high 40 goals and allowing two or more goals in 13 of their 16 matches. Off-field issues have also contributed to the turmoil. Mario Lemina was stripped of the captaincy after a confrontation with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, and in the Ipswich match, Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent off after a second yellow card, while Matheus Cunha became involved in a scuffle with Ipswich security, appearing to grab a staff member’s glasses. Striker Liam Delap was also reportedly involved in the altercation.
Following the Ipswich defeat, O’Neil reflected on the difficulties of managing the squad, admitting it had been one of his toughest experiences. “I’ve never had such a struggle,” he said, acknowledging the challenges he faced with the current group of players.
