NEW JOB ACTIVATED:Wolverhampton Wanderers appoints Gary O’Neil as new head coach after Lopetegui drama at Celtic game
Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as Gary O’Neil is appointed Wolves head coach following the departure of Julen Lopetegu
Gary O’Neil’s attention to detail and record of developing players helped him clinch the Wolves job when they interviewed candidates to replace Julen Lopetegui, says sporting director Matt Hobbs.
Hobbs has also revealed that Lopetegui told him immediately after the July 29 Celtic friendly that he wanted to go, sparking a search for a replacement that ended when O’Neil was appointed this afternoon.
Lopetegui’s departure, just nine months after he took charge, follows a difference of opinion over spending plans as the club tightened their belts this summer. However, the former Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla coach has been praised by Hobbs for his professionalism while the club lined up a replacement.
Hobbs told the club: “I had a conversation with Julen in the tunnel after the Celtic game. He was honest with his opinion and what he thought should happen. What was great was he was happy for us to take our time and interview other candidates and he was willing to wait until we found the right person, continuing to work and prepare the team properly.
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“The way he and his staff worked during that period tells you everything you need to know about them. It’s allowed us time to go through a thorough process. It’s an opportunity to do something different with a young, up and coming British coach and, from the people we met, Gary was clearly the right person from very early into his presentation.”
O’Neil was a free agent having lost his job at Bournemouth in June when the club appointed Andoni Iraola. The decision to let O’Neil go was met with widespread surprise. After all, he had taken over a team in August that had lost three of their first four games, and been beaten 9-0 by Liverpool, but led them to safety with a 16th-placed finish.
Hobbs added: “His attention to detail, thoroughness and history of developing players impressed us – he’s worked with both young and experienced players and understands the process. The detail he showed with his tactical work, including against us last year, gives you confidence about the work he and his staff put into every game.
“He has his way of playing, what he wants to do, but he tweaks it for each opposition and understands he has to change patterns of games to create opportunities. He’s very forward thinking, very driven, like he has a point to prove because he did a great job at Bournemouth. I came away feeling very excited and optimistic after the interview. I’m pleased to have him on board.
“He showed good knowledge of our squad and how it works within his principles. Like any new manager, it’ll take time to get used to the players and understand them, not only on a tactical level. Part of our decision was if he fits to our squad, because we don’t want to rebuild a squad, we want to keep our principles going forward now, so we can have a long-term strategy.”
Former midfielder O’Neil joined Bournemouth as first team coach in February 2021 having moved into coaching in August 2020 when he was appointed assistant manager of Liverpool Under-23s.
That followed a playing career spanning 542 games, 240 of which were in the Premier League with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Norwich City.
Hobbs added: “Like I talk about with players, we try to get a lot of references. Trying to do it for head coaches is tougher, but we’ve had numerous references from staff who’ve worked alongside him, staff around the club to get a feel for him as a person and players he’s coached at Liverpool and Bournemouth, the ones who played every week and ones who couldn’t get in the team.
“Everything’s been positive. Everyone talks about his man management skills, bringing everything together and his support staff have worked on that too. He’s good in youth development and has Premier League experience.”
O’Neil will have to hit the ground running because Wolves kick off their season on Monday, away to Manchester United. Hobbs added: “When a manager comes into a playing group, you need their buy in, and in the past maybe that would have been harder, but the leadership group we’ve got have done a great job of managing the dressing room and keeping it upbeat. It’s as good an atmosphere as I’ve known since I’ve been at the club.
“The leadership group will embrace and support the manager and help get his message across. I don’t have a single worry about that and I’ve been talking to some players during the process, to make sure they’re in the loop. Everyone trusts in the club and the process we’ve been through, so we’re excited to work with him.
“One thing I can tell from his interviews is he works with huge intensity and diligence. I know he’s already been working while we’ve been negotiating, so he’ll be ready to go. Like any of us when you start a new job, you get your head down and start working, and he has a lot to do on and off the pitch. He has a lot of people to meet but isn’t bringing a large staff, which is a positive because we’ve got a lot of good people here. I’m excited by what he can do with this team.
“If I have a message for our supporters, it would be that it’s OK to feel sad and disappointed about Julen’s departure, but at the same time it’s OK to be optimistic because I genuinely feel this is an exciting and progressive appointment for the club.”
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