Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil has won the hearts of his players in the Molineux dressing room for a specific reason, according to journalist Neil Moxley in an interview with GIVEMESPORT.
O’Neil’s appointment as Wolves’ manager this summer raised eyebrows and was not seen as a glamorous choice by the club’s supporters. Going from Julen Lopetegui to the former West Ham United midfielder O’Neil left many fans puzzled, with some even predicting relegation to the Championship for Wanderers.
The skepticism surrounding O’Neil’s appointment was partly due to his limited managerial experience, having previously held only one coaching role. However, O’Neil managed to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League last season after taking over as caretaker boss in August 2022 and being made the permanent manager in November of the same year. Surprisingly, he was let go during the off-season when Andoni Iraola was brought in as his replacement.
Three months into the current season, it seems that the decision to part ways with O’Neil may be one that Bournemouth regrets, as they find themselves in the relegation zone while Wolves are comfortably placed in mid-table under O’Neil’s guidance.
When asked about O’Neil’s impact at Wolves, journalist Moxley commended the manager for his ability to get the players to buy into his ideas. Moxley acknowledged that even the players themselves might have been skeptical when O’Neil was appointed, but he believes Wolves will continue to reap the benefits of this appointment in the coming weeks and months.
Moxley stated, ‘I do think that the most impressive part of O’Neil’s management so far has probably been the unspoken bit. The fact that the Wolves players have absolutely bought into the things that he’s doing. And let’s be honest, they would have been scratching their heads as well in that dressing room around the appointment. So he’s clearly won them over and he settled things down at Molineux, and I’m really pleased for the football club because a strong Wolverhampton Wanderers is good for the Midlands, and O’Neil seems a thoroughly decent guy, and you know, I wish them well.’
In addition to the positive atmosphere surrounding the club, Wolves’ upcoming matches will provide a true test of where O’Neil and Wolves currently stand. The match against Newcastle United, the visit to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United, and a game against Tottenham Hotspur before the November international break are all significant challenges that will help determine the team’s progress.”
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