Gary O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager has been subject to plenty of speculation since their 4-0 defeat to Everton.
Wolves supporters were urging for O’Neil to be sacked at Goodison Park after the Old Gold were humiliated in a crucial match.
However, no decision has been confirmed yet as O’Neil looks likely to take charge against West Ham on Monday night.
While the situation between now and the game has been described as ‘fluid’, it now seems more likely than ever that the Englishman will not make it to the Ipswich game next Saturday.
Gary O’Neil likely to be sacked regardless of Wolves’ result vs West Ham
One of the main reported reasons why O’Neil is still in a job is become of the lack of appropriate candidates.
Graham Potter was spoken to by Wolves in November but it is also believed that both the former Chelsea man and David Moyes are not interested in the job.
However, despite O’Neil remaining in charge as it stands, Liam Keen believes that regardless of the result on Monday, it is likely that the manager will be sacked.
He told the E&S Podcast: “They want someone to take over straight away, they won’t want a big in-between so that will impact their decision.
“It is also about having that final decision and that is down to Jeff Shi. He has to have the final decision that Gary O’Neil is leaving this football club and as much as he has become close to being sacked, I’m not sure if that final decision has 100% been signed off.
“Perhaps Jeff will be convinced if Wolves go and beat West Ham 3-0 that Gary O’Neil is the right man, who knows?
“But it is very likely that he does go regardless but that is an important thing to mention.
“Then it is signing off whoever comes in. They are going to want that person to be ready straight away, and for Gary O’Neil, his time will probably be up at this football club.
“These next few days leading up to Monday will be very telling. I don’t think you can have someone in the stands if Gary O’Neil is leaving knowing that they are signing on to manage this football club because that will be disrespectful to Gary. I’d be surprised if that did happen.”
Fosun have once again handled another Wolves sacking poorly
If O’Neil is to be sacked after the West Ham game, it is a poor look. The manager has been under considerable pressure since the Brentford defeat and Fosun should have had targets in mind since then.
While it is clear that Potter has been spoken to, a candidate should have been lined up and ready instead of leaving O’Neil in limbo.
This situation does little to help anyone at the club. A new manager could have taken charge of the West Ham match or at least been appointed beforehand to oversee the game.
Instead, it echoes Bruno Lage’s sacking when the club were panicking to find a replacement after Michael Beale turned the Old Gold down.
With another sacking almost impossible to avoid in the future, Fosun simply must do better.