Wolves must surely appoint manager with 139 Premier League wins after Gary O’Neil snub
Wolves are at a pivotal crossroads in their quest to avoid Premier League relegation, and it appears they’re no closer to appointing a new manager.
Vitor Pereira was sacked as Wolves boss on Sunday (November 2) after a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Fulham extended their winless run to 10 Premier League matches.
To the surprise of every supporter, Gary O’Neil emerged as a frontrunner for the Wolves job, despite the Wanderers hierarchy only sacking him in December 2024.
O’Neil’s potential return to Molineux was met with dread as more questions were raised towards the ownership and their horrific decision-making.
Gary O’Neil rejects the Wolves job
Many fans felt strongly against the 42-year-old returning to Wolverhampton, with some even threatening to cancel their season tickets if he was appointed.
🚨 EXCL: Gary O’Neil withdraws himself from process to become next Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach after initial talks. Understood 42yo felt opportunity to make shock return to Molineux not right for him at this time. #WWFC search ongoing @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/bNKj22Z24s
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 3, 2025
But The Athletic’s David Ornstein has now revealed that O’Neil has withdrawn himself from the process of becoming the next Wolves manager after holding ‘initial talks’.
As much as he considered the opportunity, he felt it wasn’t right for him at this time, and understandably so.
The Old Gold are currently bottom of the Premier League table on two points, but more worryingly, are eight points adrift of safety.
Wolves are currently considering Erik ten Hag, Michael Carrick and Rob Edwards as possible replacements for Pereira.
Edwards has already ruled himself out of the Wolves job, while Carrick and Ten Hag are keeping their cards close to their chest.
Brendan Rodgers is also in the running after leaving Celtic, and he should be the man they appoint in a bid to save their season.
Wolves should appoint Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers only left Celtic a week ago (October 27), and he’s already being tipped for a return to management.
The Northern Irishman is vastly experienced in the Premier League, having amassed 139 wins during his time at Liverpool and Leicester City.
| Brendan Rodgers Premier League record |
| 312 matches |
| 139 wins |
| 71 draws |
| 102 defeats |
Rodgers enjoyed some incredible success at Leicester, in particular, guiding the Foxes to four top-half finishes in a row from 2019 to 2022.
He would therefore be the ideal candidate, but it just depends on whether he wants to risk damaging his CV in a desperate attempt to save Wolves.