Gary O’Neil set for Wolves return as new manager following Vitor Pereira dismissal

Add as preferred source on Google

TBR Football understands that Gary O’Neil is set to return to Wolves as their new boss, following the sacking of Vitor Pereira on Sunday.

Wolves dismissed Pereira after a winless start to their Premier League 25/26 campaign, which sees them sit at rock bottom of the table.

There were several candidates set to replace Pereira, including the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Rob Edwards.

But now it seems that Wolves have found their man – and that’s Gary O’Neil.

Sources: Wolves set to appoint Gary O’Neil as first-team manager

TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, reveals that it is set to be O’Neil who is going to return to the helm at Wolves.

He said: “Talks accelerated quickly over the weekend – Fosun were talking to people before their match at Fulham was over.

“They already had a shortlist, but Gary O’Neil is someone they respected from his previous stint, and once it became known he wanted to come back, he was regarded as the leading candidate.

“Work was done on others, including Rob Edwards, but O’Neil is the one they are moving ahead with.

“Wolves sources confirm that an agreement is close, but as we know in the Premier League nothing can be taken for granted and until he puts pen-to-paper, other options are being put to Fosun and the club’s hierarchy – but O’Neil is close to finalising a deal.”

O’Neil was, of course, sacked by Wolves in December 2024 following a poor start to their Premier League campaign.

Now, the 42-year-old will be tasked with turning the poor league form around to try and escape the drop to the Championship.

Gary O’Neil record as Wolves manager

O’Neil’s first tenure at Wolves lasted 63 matches, spanning from the 9th of August 2023 to the 15th of December 2024.

During this time, he had a 20-11-32 record in all competitions as Wolves manager. He was averaging just over a point a game.

O’Neil will need a better record than this if Wolves are to have any hope of staying up this season, but the board believe he’s the man for the job.