Gary O’Neil has yet to land a managerial role in football ever since being sacked by Wolves back in December 2024.
The former Old Gold head coach has not been short of opportunities, though. When Vitor Pereira was let go, O’Neil was remarkably the front-runner to take over in a return to Wolves, but he turned it down as it was not the right time.
It was a highly bemusing turn of events but showed that despite his last few months at Molineux, he is still highly respected.
Leeds United also had O’Neil shortlisted, but Daniel Farke’s turnaround in form at Elland Road meant their search for a new manager was cancelled.
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Norwich were next to try to scoop up the former Wolves manager, but both parties mutually agreed it was not the right fit.
And most recently, O’Neil’s name was linked with the Old Gold again, as Rob Edwards’ future was cast into doubt.
However, now, Gary O’Neil has become a leading contender for another club as he looks to return to management.
Gary O’Neil makes Strasbourg’s final shortlist
Enzo Maresca leaving Chelsea has set a mini-carousel into action, as Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior looks to take over at Stamford Bridge.
The French club is part of the Blues’ multi-club ownership structure, which means it is highly unlikely that the move will fall through.
However, this also means BlueCo, the consortium which owns both the English and Ligue 1 clubs, needs to fill that vacancy.
Finish the sentence: Gary O’Neil’s Wolves tenure was ________.
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Now, according to journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, Gary O’Neil is on the ‘final shortlist’ of contenders for the Strasbourg job.
The former Wolves head coach is reportedly ‘keen’ to land the job and return to management, and it could be a great role to take for one reason.
Strasbourg job is a good move for Gary O’Neil
A return to Wolves would never have been smart for Gary O’Neil, but taking the Strasbourg job certainly is.
While their fans are not too happy with BlueCo as owners, mainly because they feel they are prioritised second to Chelsea, it offers more opportunities for O’Neil moving forward.
As seen with Rosenior, it provides a pathway to a more lucrative job, and if all goes well at the French club, and in a couple of years, if Chelsea needs another head coach, it would not be a shock to see O’Neil emerge as the leading candidate.
He has taken his time and assessed all of his options, but the former Wolves man may finally be back in the dugout.
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