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Gary O’Neil gives first interview as new Wolves head coach and explains why he took the job

Gary O’Neil gives his first interview as new Wolves head coach and explains why he took the job, as successor to Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui waved goodbye on Tuesday, with O’Neil agreeing a three-year contract after guiding Bournemouth to survival last season before being axed by the Cherries in June.

This is the 40 year old’s second full-time managerial role and his first game in charge will be the Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.

HIS INTERVIEW WITH SKY

GO: “Yeah, received a phone call that there may be some changes being made. So yeah, was asked to come and speak to the club about what it may look like moving forward and yeah.

“We were being such a big club and such a talented group and incredible fan base. It was an easy answer for me to say yeah let’s have a chat and see where the club is looking to go and see if I fit.”

Interviewer: “And you’ve mentioned a few aspects there, but I suppose a lot of the fans will be wondering why Wolves? What was it about the club that really attracted you to come here?”

GO: “Yeah, that’s an easy one to answer. As I’ve said, there the quality within the group, some fantastic players in there, the support that I’ve witnessed as an away player and as away manager, the home games and the backing that the side get from the home support is incredible and just the size of the club, the history of the place. So, yeah, just a fantastic opportunity for me to continue the work that we started last season.”

Interviewer: “With it being so close to the start of the Premier League season, were you at all nervous or did you have any reservations, with it being so close three, four days before that first game against Man Utd?”

GO: “No nervous and it’s not ideal to come in three or four days before the first Premier League game. The group have been working in a certain way under different leadership for the last six weeks, and we have a game coming in three, four days against a very good side. So not loads of time to get them exactly where I would want them to be and just trying to assess exactly where they are and what it feels like at this moment. And then obviously, as time goes on and as we progress, very confident that we can get the group to where we need them.”

Interviewer: “And you had your first training session today with the squad, you got to meet all the players. What atmosphere did you sense when you met all of them and yeah, just how was the training session?”

GO: “Yeah, good session, lads. Worked very hard, good group together. Obviously there’s been some sort of sort negative noises from outside, but you would never, ever know that from inside the camp. I thought they were excellent this morning in their first training session. Atmosphere around the place, very good. So, yeah, now my job and my responsibility to make sure it stays that way. And we create a real togetherness with not only the playing staff, the staff around the training ground, staff at the stadium, and then really important that we get the fans with us as well, which I’m sure they already are, and they always have been when I’ve been here. But would be incredible support for the boys to have the fans right behind them the whole way through.”

Interviewer: “And as we go into this season, Gary, how much can use the experience? You got Bournemouth last year, keeping them up. But also, do you feel you have extra motivation after how it ended?”

GO: “Yeah, not extra motivation at all. I think things end for different reasons. They generally always come to an end managerial stints for one reason or another. And, yes, we’ve moved on and it’s a completely new challenge for me. So did I learn lots? Of course. Sort of almost a full season in my first managerial role in the biggest league in the world, so learned an awful lot. We achieved what we set out to and it’ll be the same again this year. Different targets and a different group and different seasons. So nothing exactly the same, but looking to make sure that we achieve what we think is achievable for this group of players.”

WOLVES STATEMENT ON LOPETEGUI

Wolves and Julen Lopetegui have reached an agreement to part ways, ending the Spaniard’s nine-month reign as head coach at the club.

Lopetegui joined Wolves in November and successfully guided the club to Premier League safety, however, the head coach and club acknowledged and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties.

Talks have been ongoing in recent weeks, held with the utmost respect and cordiality, affording the club time and space to begin work on finding a successor, while also ensuring that Julen and his backroom staff could continue their planned preparation to ensure the playing squad would be in the best possible condition for the start of the Premier League season.

Lopetegui arrived with the club bottom of the Premier League, and won nine league games from that point, including against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux, which helped the Old Gold secure a sixth successive top-flight campaign.

As well as Lopetegui, his backroom team, consisting of Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado, Oscar Caro, Edu Rubio, Borja De Alba Alonso and Daniel Lopetegui, will all depart the club too.

Sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “On behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Julen and his staff for their dedication and hard work during their time at the football club. They were brought in with the primary aim of keeping the club in the Premier League last season, an objective which they achieved with games to spare.

“While our ambition had been to move into the new season together, it is public knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key topics, and it was agreed by all parties that it would be best to part ways ahead of the new campaign.

“After a successful pre-season, full of hard work and good performances, Julen and his staff leave the squad in great shape ahead of the season opener next week, which will give his successor the best possible platform for success.

“We wish Julen and his team the very best of luck for the future, and they will always be welcome at Wolves.”

Lopetegui said: “I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.

“It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.

“Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family.”

WOLVES STATEMENT ON GARY O’NEIL

Wolves have appointed Gary O’Neil as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

The highly regarded young coach moves to Molineux on a three-year-deal on the back of a successful season in charge of AFC Bournemouth, where he gained plaudits for improving performances and maintaining the club’s Premier League status.

At 40 years of age, O’Neil becomes the Wolves’ youngest manager this Millennium and is the first permanent British coach to lead the club in six years, bringing Premier League experience after playing and managing at this level.

Having made more than 200 Premier League appearances as a midfielder for the likes of Portsmouth and West Ham United, O’Neil first stepped into coaching with Liverpool’s under-23s in 2020, before joining the staff at Bournemouth in 2021.

After playing his part in the club’s promotion under Scott Parker, O’Neil stepped into the managerial hot-seat four games into the new campaign, following a 9-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Bringing with him new ideas and uniting the squad, he got the Cherries’ season back on track before being handed the job on a permanent basis in November.

His positive start continued at the Vitality Stadium throughout the remainder of the campaign, with the Cherries comfortably avoiding relegation, beating Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur along the way.

O’Neil left Bournemouth at the end of the season and now takes the head coach role at Wolves, where he inherits an exciting group of players ready for the new Premier League campaign, which begins away at Manchester United on Monday evening.

On joining Wolves, O’Neil said:

“I’m delighted to be at such a big football club with the talent that we have in the group. We have fantastic supporters who are desperate to get behind the team and have a team that they can be proud of, and I’m privileged that I get the opportunity to make sure we put that all together.

“Just over a week ago I received a phone call that there might be some changes being made at Wolves and was asked to come into the club about what it may look like moving forward.

“With it being such a big club, with such a talented group and an incredible fan base, it was an easy answer for me to say yes and that I’d love to have a chat and see where the club was looking to go and see if I fit.

“Now that decision has been made and it’s up to me, the coaches and the players to go and implement what we think is possible with this group this year.”

On the pull of the Old Gold

“The quality within the group, there’s some fantastic players in there, and the support I witnessed as both an away player and an away manager, the home support and the backing that the side get from the fans at Molineux is incredible.

“The size of the club, the history of the place, it’s a fantastic opportunity for me to continue the work that was started last season. It’s a big, big football club and I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.

“I’ve been to this football ground with other teams in the past as a player and as a coach and always felt like they had incredible support from the fans. That will be important to us this season because a great home support can give you such an advantage when they are being what you’re trying to do and behind the players.

“I understand that we’ve got to play our part in that, but I want to create a real togetherness this year because there’s some challenges out there which we’re going to have to attack as a group. But I look forwards to seeing how far we can push it through the players and what we can achieve.”

On aims for this season

“It’s very difficult on my first day to outline exactly what those are. Of course, you have an opinion from the outside watching Wolves and having prepped hard to playing against them last season. But it’s nowhere near what you start to find out once you’re in and you start to work with people every day and you start to see traits and certain qualities.

“We’ve lost a couple of players since then, but a lot of work went into preparing that first game against Wolves as Bournemouth manager, so I understand where they were and the qualities they have.

“But now is not the time to look at where we can finish and what we can achieve. My main aim is to get the team in a very good place and make sure we can perform week in week out. We’re got to be the best versions of ourselves to give ourselves an opportunity to win every single game and then see where that takes us.”

On the atmosphere within the squad

“It’s a good group, they’re together, and although there’s been some negative noises from outside, you would never know that from being inside the camp.

“I thought they were excellent this morning and it was a good first training session and the lads worked very hard. The atmosphere around the place is very good, so it’s my job now to make sure it stays that way and we create a real togetherness with not only the playing staff but the staff around the training ground and the staff at the stadium.

“It’s also really important that we get the fans with us as well, which I’m sure they already are, and they always have been when I’ve come here, so it would be incredible support for the boys to have the fans right behind them the whole way through.”

On arriving ahead of a new season

“The group have been working in a certain way under a different leadership for the last six weeks and now we have a game coming in three or four days against a very good side.

“There’s not loads of time to get them exactly where I want them to be, but I’m just trying to assess exactly where they are and what it feels like at the moment. As the time goes on and we progress, I’m very confident we can get the group to where we need them to be.

“It’s a big game coming really quickly so there’s no time to rest or settle in. We’re straight into it.”

On his message to the Wolves fans

“Me and my staff are going to work every moment to give them a team they can be proud of and we’re going to need them, 100 per cent.

“In my experience managing Bournemouth and playing for some other sides in the Premier League, having your home support around you can make a massive difference, so it’s really important we get them on side at Molineux, we get their backing, and I can assure them I’ll be doing everything I can to give them a team they can be proud of.”

Sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the club. He’s a highly motivated young coach with strong principles and very well thought of by everyone he has worked with, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together at Wolves.

“Our players have shown their quality during pre-season, and I believe Gary and his team will continue to coach and improve them and will have success working with this group.

“Everyone at Wolves is looking forward to welcoming Gary, offering him their full support and working collaboratively to help the club to keep pushing forward together.”

Sporting director Matt Hobbs has discussed the recruitment process and appointment of new Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil.

On the process behind the head coach change, Hobbs said: “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.

“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.

“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.”

Hobbs and Wolves pride themselves on the due diligence put in ahead of any potential new arrival to the club and he used his contacts in the game to gather references on O’Neil, to accompany his own thoughts following the interview process.

“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.”

Now, with the new Premier League season beginning this weekend, O’Neil will turn to making an immediate impact on the squad, which will be aided by the senior leadership group in the dressing room. The recently appointed group speak on behalf of the first-team and drive standards, and Hobbs is confident they’ll give the new head coach their full support.

“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.”

O’Neil will now try to channel that positivity into the season opener at Manchester United on Monday. Although Hobbs admits time will be required to allow the new head coach to make his mark on the group, O’Neil’s dedication to his work will leave him in the best possible position to hit the ground running, the sporting director believes.

“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.”

Fans reacted as Gary O’Neil gives his first interview as the new Wolves head coach and explains why he took the job…

@BigPapiTSHN: I’m taking that ‘what is achievable’ comment as a positive. He said it’s a different target to what he had at Bournemouth (avoid relegation), so can only assume he’s looking for mid-table or higher. Let’s see if he can put it into action

@Callum_Howen: It’d be absolutely hilarious if Bournemouth get relegated and Gazza O’Neil steamrolls the tricky Wolves to a top 10 finish.

@MrR1g4t: Once someone has the badge on their chest, they become one of us ! Period ! #WWFC

@cjamr97: Back him, needs us All behind him & the team.

@wwfcscott: Gary O’Neil is coming into a club after a messy pre-season. His first 4 or 5 games will be like a pre-season for him & the players getting used to his style, so we’re already behind all other clubs as it stands. Let’s see where the results take us. Good luck to him 💪🧑‍🍳

@Vaughany1973: If we can manage to finish anywhere above 15th I’d say that’s an excellent season

@DVivash: I’ve got a good feeling he knows the club from his playing an management days his a young hungry British manager he knows what the fans are like his seen what the players are capable off 🤞 he can get everyone working together and find some good form

@JW_WWFC: Seems like a down to earth bloke that will work hard and give 100%. All we can ask for really.

@AnthWalls: Fuck it.. I’m all in on him. I love a good underdog story

@kyriese7: what is achievable 🫣

@ButNeto: What are his goals for the season? Push for top 8 or just survive?

@stubbswwfc: TIME FOR CRYING TO STOP. BACK OUR MANAGER

@XXXTANNERTACION: See, he knows that we have a talented group, julen didn’t seem happy with it understandable but he never said really that we have talent. Then how he mentioned the staff at the training ground and staff at the stadium maybe JL wasn’t the nicest of characters maybe?

@JSS_1311: Speaks well, comes across genuine and has a point to prove. Cant knock that. Not happy one bit but here we are. Already expecting the (R) against the name in May…

@jorjwwfc: GO on his top is pissing me off despite it literally being his initials

@COOPSthereitis4: Speaks well, after the last few weeks let’s now get behind him and the team. Have to move on from JL (let’s hope Shi moves on) But here we are…

@JoeJose84: I’m convinced. The players play for each other, the fans and Hobbs (which is a good thing). He’s going to have to get to grips very quickly but he comes across as someone who trusts the squad to show their talent and willingness.

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