Wolverhampton Wanderers chairman Jeff Shi and influential figures behind the scenes have suffered a setback in their bid to appoint Vitor Pereira’s successor as managerial candidate Gary O’Neil has withdrawn from the running to seal a return to the Molineux dugout, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Fulham last weekend, which resulted in Wolves remaining at the foot of the Premier League table, the hierarchy wielded the axe and sacked Pereira in an attempt to improve their chances of avoiding dropping into the Championship.
O’Neil has pulled out of the running to return to Wolves after a period of reflection, according to GMS sources, despite initially entering advanced discussions to fill the void left by the departed Pereira.
The 42-year-old tactician has been waiting for the right opportunity to dive back into management since being relieved of his duties by Wanderers in December, but he has opted against heading back to familiar surroundings.
GMS sources have been informed that it was never a done deal for O’Neil to succeed Pereira at Wolves, despite holding productive talks, and the hierarchy will have to turn their attention elsewhere as they attempt to maintain their Premier League status after picking up just two points from their first 10 encounters of the season.
The West Midlands-based side are still waiting for their first Premier League win of the campaign, with their only victories coming against West Ham United and Everton in the Carabao Cup, and that resulted in board members deciding that a change needed to be made in the dugout.
O’Neil guided Wolves to 20 triumphs over the course of his 63-match stint at Molineux, with 32 defeats being suffered along the way, and he is continuing to assess his options as he aims to return to management after getting involved in punditry.
Pereira was dismissed less than 24 hours after Wanderers were consigned to a 3-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend. Emmanuel Agbadou was sent off in the first half of the encounter, after Ryan Sessegnon had already put the hosts ahead.
Harry Wilson added his name to the scoresheet for the west Londoners, before Yerson Mosquera found the back of his own net to round off a woeful day for Wolves. The Premier League’s bottom side will return to action on Saturday, when they make the trip to Chelsea.
