Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as the club prepares to install Gary O’Neil as manager
Wolves are poised to appoint Gary O’Neil as their new manager today, moving swiftly to replace Julen Lopetegui, BirminghamLive understands.
O’Neil impressed the Wolves hierarchy as they sounded out candidates when it became apparent Lopetegui’s nine-month reign was in danger of ending over a difference of opinion about transfer policy.
The Spaniard had two years left on his contract but matters came to a head yesterday when talks at the club led to a financial settlement for Lopetegui and his staff. The former Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla boss moves on after making an impact last season when he was appointed to a club bottom of the table in November but led them to a 13th placed finish.
The timing of Lopetegui’s exit, just six days before the club’s opening Premier League fixture means they have had to be prepared to replace him. That man is O’Neil who is likely to be appointed today, picking up a managerial career that began when he was appointed caretaker manager of Bournemouth last August.
The 40 year old inherited a side that had lost three of their first four games and just been beaten 9-0 by Liverpool. But he impressed, was given the job on a ‘permanent’ basis in November and kept them up in 15th .
However, he was replaced by Andoni Iraola at the end of the season, meaning he was a free agent and Wolves can move quickly to install him.
The club kick off their season on Monday when they are away to Manchester United.
