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The Times & The Sunday Times
The Times & The Sunday Times
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Gary O’Neil retains backing of Wolves board despite loss to West Ham

Wolverhampton Wanderers believe that fixtures against Ipswich Town and Leicester City are a chance to improve on a difficult start to this Premier League season
Charlotte Duncker
The Times
a man in a black hoodie with his hands folded in front of his chest
Gary O’Neil has faced increasing pressure as his side have failed to get off the ground this season
CATHERINE IVILL/GETTY IMAGES
Charlotte Duncker
The Times

Gary O’Neil retains the backing of the Wolverhampton Wanderers board and is expected to remain in charge of the side for this weekend’s game against Ipswich Town.

Wolves sit 19th in the Premier League table and are four points from safety after a poor start to the campaign, during which they have won only two of their 15 games and conceded a league-high 38 goals.

Pressure has been mounting on O’Neil, with the fans chanting against the head coach as they watch their side struggle, but The Times understands there are no immediate plans to make a change.

O’Neil, 41, was handed a new deal in the summer, after leading Wolves to safety and 14th place in his first season in charge. It is believed the board does not attribute this season’s challenges to the head coach and is trying to provide him with the support needed to improve results.

Sam Johnstone and Tommy Doyle of Wolverhampton Wanderers looking dejected after a Premier League match.
Wolves lost a number of key players in the summer, with few replacements for the big names, including goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, left, from Crystal Palace
EVERY SECOND MEDIA / ALAMY

Matt Hobbs, the sporting director, was at the London Stadium on Monday night for their 2-1 defeat by West Ham United and despite the negative fan reaction, the Wolves hierarchy is determined not to make a reactive decision.

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The club’s decision-makers believe O’Neil has shown a capability in the past to overcome difficult situations and they are calm in the belief that the former Bournemouth manager can turn the situation around.

Speaking about his position after the defeat by West Ham, O’Neil said: “I am not concerned [about my position]. Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it. I am really proud of the group and everything they have given me. I can only ask them to give their best. We won’t give up and we’ll keep pushing.”

Read more

Jarrod Bowen earns West Ham vital win and leaves Gary O’Neil on brink

It is understood the club held informal talks with out-of-work Graham Potter last month as they considered their options.

Sources said the board is actively addressing the balance of the squad, with the January window just around the corner, and there is belief that the squad has the capability to improve Wolves’ poor form, having won only three games of their past 25 games across last season and this campaign.

Wolves are at home to 18th-placed Ipswich on Saturday before an away trip to Leicester City, who are 16th, on December 22.

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