Wolves have been flourishing under the leadership of Gary O’Neil of late, overcoming a rocky start to the former Bournemouth manager’s tenure.
O’Neil was somewhat unfortunate to have lost his job on the south coast so soon after the season had finished, having successfully secured Bournemouth’s Premier League future. The 40-year-old’s quick return to top flight management was unexpected to say the least, with Wolves’ previous manager Julen Lopetegui walking out on the club mere days before the start of the new campaign.
In came O’Neil who, after a couple of days in charge, had pushed Manchester United all the way on the opening day and was unlucky to not walk away from Old Trafford with at least a point. But Wolves have come a long way since then and have made everyone in the Premier League take notice, so how has O’Neil done it?
Arriving into chaos
O’Neil entered a depleted dressing room, with the likes of Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho all leaving in the summer before O’Neil arrived at the club. Exciting Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha had signed on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid, despite failing to impress in the previous six-month loan spell, and Matt Doherty returned to club three seasons after leaving for Tottenham.
Matheus Nunes’ refusal to play in order to force a move to Premier League Champions Manchester City on deadline day was also a gut punch to the start of O’Neil’s reign. Young midfielder Tommy Doyle was sent on loan from City with Wolves unable to sort a permanent replacement for Nunes.
One win in six was not the start O’Neil would have wanted, but a superb 2-1 victory over Manchester City turned out to be a turning point for the Black Country club.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Molineux fortress
Wolves were beginning to find their flow under the new boss. A stoppage-time win away at the club that sacked him, Bournemouth, was the perfect way to further endear him to the Wolves supporters. Molineux was also beginning to become something of a fortress. Deploying high-pressing wing-backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo with Mario Lemina dictating play around the dynamism of Pablo Sarabia, Hwang-hee Chan and the returning Pedro Neto, there was plenty of reason for optimism around Molineux.
They went seven unbeaten at home until February’s loss to Manchester United. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Everton came and were dispatched. Despite numerous controversial VAR decisions across three games against Newcastle, Sheffield United and Fulham going against them, the togetherness and unity around the club had now been formed with O’Neil leading the way.
No relegation worries
Fans across the Premier League were starting to take Wolves seriously, having been touted by many as relegation candidates at the start of the seaspm. Since the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo, it has been hard for them to regain the fighting spirit and consistency they showed when they were promoted.
O’Neil was making history. In the FA Cup they overcame arch-rivals West Bromwich Albion in a chaotic fourth round tie, a first win at the Hawthorns in 28 years. They secured their first double over Chelsea in 49 years and over Tottenham in 14 years. Cunha was the hero in the cup and at Stamford Bridge but unfortunately injury has reportedly now ruled him out for the rest of the season, a blow to O’Neil’s side.
But winning at Tottenham without their star striker shows the strength of the squad and a vast difference to previous years, where Wolves have often struggled without key personell.
Embed from Getty ImagesWolves have their eyes on a European spot in the league and a deep FA Cup run is very possible. Gary O’Neil hasn’t just revived one of English football’s finest clubs, but he’s proven he is one of the best managers in the Premier League.
