Next Wolves manager: Gary O’Neil in talks over return to Molineux following Vitor Pereira sacking | Football news

Wolves are in talks with former boss Gary O’Neil over a return to Molineux.

He remains one of several options being explored by the club following Vitor Pereira’s sacking on Saturday, including Middlesbrough chief Rob Edwards.

O’Neil was appointed head coach of Wolves in August 2023 and led the club to a 14th place finish and the FA Cup quarter-finals in his first season.

The 42-year-old was sacked in December 2024 following a poor start to his second season and was replaced by Pereira.

Former Luton boss Edwards currently has Boro second in the Championship. Edwards also has his own history with Wolves, having played over 100 times for the club during his playing career.

However, Wolves are in no rush to make an appointment and need to get it right given their difficult situation in the table – so they are sounding out several candidates.

Wolves parted ways with Pereira following their 10-game winless start to the Premier League season. They lost 3-0 to Fulham on Saturday.

The defeat follows a 4-3 loss to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday and left the Midlands club with just two points from their opening 10 Premier League games of the season, eight points adrift of safety. No club has ever survived with two points or less at this stage of a Premier League season.

Pereira’s sacking comes just 45 days after he signed a new three-year contract with Wolves, who were bottom at the time, having lost their first four league matches.

Their poor form continued under the former Porto boss, with Wolves the only team without a win in England’s top four divisions.

“I don’t know how O’Neil’s reappointment would be received”

Sky Sports News’ Amber Sandhu at Molineux:

“This is a 24-hour event for Wolves. James Collins and Richard Walker will oversee first team training while the club appoints a new first team head coach.

“In terms of conversations, we know that a number of options are being explored, including Gary O’Neil, of course, former Bournemouth manager and of course, who had a managerial career at Wolves.

He was sacked last year after 16 months at the club. He arrived in August 2023, succeeding Julen Lopetegui, and took Wolves to 14th position, the highest they had been that season, and also to eighth place.

“They finished 14th and also reached an FA Cup quarter-final. But the second part of that season didn’t end very well for him. It seemed like he had lost his way a bit. There was a lack of discipline and control within that team too, and that saw his departure on December 15, after losing to Ipswich Town 2-1. He could potentially return to Molineux.

“I don’t know how well received he will be by the fans. So the second option who is no stranger to Molineux is of course Rob Edwards, the former Luton manager. He is at Middleborough at the moment, where they are doing very well, second in the Championship.

“He had a playing career here, over 100 appearances for Wolves and was also part of the academy. Those conversations are happening but we understand the club are in no rush to make this appointment due to the difficult situation there, but we know they have 28 games to turn things around so they need to make sure it’s right.