Gary O’Neil reflects on his whirlwind managerial journey, acknowledging the challenges and the lessons learned after his sacking by Wolves. Having spent seven months away from the touchline, he now feels more prepared and focused. “The journey’s been pretty high speed,” he admits, noting that the time to breathe and reflect has been a valuable opportunity. The break has allowed O’Neil to analyze his past decisions, particularly his approach to set-pieces, which were a key factor in Wolves’ struggles last season. He has spent time consulting experts and diving deep into the tactical side of the game, eager to close the gaps he’s identified.
O’Neil has no ill will toward Wolves, despite their decision to part ways while the team was in the relegation zone. He is proud of the progress made during his brief tenure, with notable victories, including a remarkable 4-2 win over Chelsea. However, he understands the realities of the business and the pressures that come with managing in the Premier League. “You go through the goals we’ve scored, some of the quality, some of the results… if you only focus on the end, you can convince yourself that it was an unsuccessful experience, but it wasn’t,” he says.
When reflecting on his management style, O’Neil is clear: he values adaptability over rigid philosophical commitments. While he has a clear vision for how he wants his team to play, he recognizes that flexibility is essential, especially when taking over a team mid-season with a different tactical framework in place. His experience at Bournemouth and Wolves has reinforced this belief, showing him the importance of adjusting to the players at hand rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
O’Neil also discusses the personal growth that comes with being a manager, sharing how he worked closely with players like Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha to improve their game. Through one-on-one training, he sought to make Neto more unpredictable and Cunha more disciplined without stifling their natural talent. Selling Neto to Chelsea, while disappointing, was an inevitable consequence of Wolves’ financial position.
Now, with more time to reflect, O’Neil is focused on the next chapter of his career. He recognizes the need for emotional balance in the job, particularly in high-stress moments like post-match press conferences. “I think it is important that you have some emotion in the job,” he says. The time away has given him a chance to reassess his approach, and he’s eager to take on the next challenge with a fresh perspective, better equipped to handle the pressures and intricacies of top-flight management.
