O’Neil and the Wolves part ways following a losing streak

Wolverhampton Wanderers stated on Sunday that manager Gary O’Neil had been fired after a losing run that put the team four points outside of safety and in the relegation zone.

Wolves only had two wins out of 16 games this season, and their 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town at home on Saturday put them in 19th place with nine points, extending their losing streak to four league games.

They have conceded a league-worst 40 goals in addition to off-field issues (Mario Lemina was sacked of captaincy after an incident with West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen).

In a statement, Wolves announced that head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom crew have left the team.

Wolves’ next game is on the road at Leicester City on December 22 with tough matches against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur later this month.

Wolves’ triumphs against Southampton and Fulham last month appeared to have eased some of the pressure, even though they had lost their first ten league games.

However, days after club chairman Jeff Shi had defended the manager against scathing fan criticism, O’Neil was fired after the team had lost four of their last four games.

“We wish Gary and his team the best of luck in the future and are incredibly grateful for all of his effort, dedication, and hard work during his time at the club,” Shi stated.

When Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui, who is currently with West Ham United, departed the team owing to differences with the board, Wolves signed O’Neil, a former Bournemouth manager, just before the season started. O’Neil’s contract was through 2026.

The previous season’s 14th-place result was the Midlands team’s lowest since their promotion in 2018.

The Englishman O’Neil managed Wolves for 63 games, winning 20 of them, drawing 11 and losing 32.

He is the third Premier League manager to be fired this season, following Steve Cooper and Erik ten Hag.