Gary O’Neil has been sacked as Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, the Premier League club announced on Sunday.
Wolves took the decision in the wake of Saturday’s crushing 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Ipswich Town, a result that left the Molineux club second-bottom and four points from safety.
“Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom staff,” a statement from the team read on Sunday afternoon.
“O’Neil arrived at Molineux just three days before the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season, taking on a significant challenge and ultimately guiding the Old Gold to a successful campaign.
“During his first season at the helm, Wolves beat Manchester City and won impressively at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as rivals West Bromwich Albion during a journey to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“Chairman Jeff Shi said: ‘We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.'”
Ipswich led for much of Saturday’s game following Matt Doherty’s own goal in the early stages, before Matheus Cunha pulled the hosts level in the 72nd minute.
But Jack Taylor’s 94th-minute winner dealt Wolves their fourth defeat on the spin, as Kieran McKenna’s side snatched only their second win of the league campaign.
After the match, O’Neil said: “There were too many mistakes again from us, and we were probably punished for both of the real big mistakes, but they’re mistakes that just can’t happen at this level.”
O’Neil joined Wolves in August 2023 after leading Bournemouth to Premier League survival, and guided the club to a 14th-place finish last season.
However, a run of just two wins in 16 league games, with 40 goals conceded, has resulted in his dismissal.
O’Neil appeared to have turned things around in the last month after a six-match losing run, picking up draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, before back-to-back league wins over Southampton and Fulham.
However, a 4-2 defeat to his former employers Bournemouth and a heavy 4-0 loss at Goodison Park marked the beginning of the end for the 41-year-old.
Then a loss to West Ham United, whose Julen Lopetegui is facing an uphill battle of his own, was enough for the club to pull the trigger and let O’Neil go.
Wolves face a trip to Leicester City next, before hosting Manchester United on Boxing Day.