Gary O’Neil now in major contention to be next Leeds manager amid Daniel Farke sack news
Gary O’Neil is now a serious candidate to become the next Leeds United manager.
The walls have been closing in on Daniel Farke of late, and his team suffered yet another frustrating weekend as they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City thanks to a stoppage-time goal on Saturday.
Football Insider revealed that the mood in the Leeds dressing room was dire ahead of this weekend, and the defeat at the Etihad Stadium is unlikely to have done anything to improve that.
The Elland Road outfit have slipped into the relegation zone after their recent run of poor form, and that has seriously increased the level of scrutiny that is surrounding Farke’s position at the helm.
Odds slashed for Gary O’Neil to join Leeds United
Football Insider recently revealed that the Leeds board are contemplating sacking Farke in the aftermath of their latest defeat, with Brendan Rodgers among the group of possible successors.
The former Leicester City boss has been away from football since he left Celtic at the end of October, but the 49ers may be prepared to offer him the chance to take the reins in LS11.
However, O’Neil has now climbed above the Northern Irishman in the list of likely candidates to take charge of the Whites in the event of Farke’s dismissal.
The odds of the ex-Wolves boss being named as the next Leeds chief have now been slashed to 3/1, which certainly suggests that he is one of the potential candidates who is being entertained.
Gary O’Neil’s Premier League win percentage is double that of Daniel Farke
Rodgers is understandably an attractive option for Leeds if they do decide that Farke cannot continue, but O’Neil would also be a very decent choice.
The 42-year-old’s dismissal at Wolves came in somewhat unfortunate circumstances in December 2024, when he was given the boot just days after the board publicly declared their support for him.
O’Neil has been out of work since he left Molineux, but his record in the Premier League is far superior to that of Farke.
The Englishman boasts a 30.68 per cent win percentage during his permanent roles at Wolves and Bournemouth, and Farke can only boast 14.52 per cent, less than half that of his potential successor.
O’Neil has worked under difficult circumstances in both of his previous jobs, and he could be the perfect man to help guide Leeds safely away from the bottom three in the coming months.