Liam Keen has shared what he thinks Gary O’Neil must do in talks with Wolves to land the job for a second time.
Multiple names have been tossed around to take over from Vitor Pereira.
Robbie Keane put himself in the race to take the hot seat at Molineux.
Michael Carrick downplayed suggestions he could take the job, and then his successor at Middlesbrough, Rob Edwards, did the same.
Over the last day since the news of Pereira’s dismissal, a return for Gary O’Neil has been the prominent link, and Liam Keen believes he must make some concessions if he wants to convince the Wolves hierarchy he is deserving of a second chance.
Liam Keen suggests how Gary O’Neil can land Wolves role
It seems like Gary O’Neil is the man to take the Wolves job, as he is the current leading contender, much to the disappointment of fans.
The majority of supporters do not want O’Neil back at Molineux and believe it would be an uninspiring hire.
The Old Gold are currently in a fight for Premier League survival, and the Englishman is the very man who had them in the same position last season.
Nonetheless, the board are reportedly having talks with him, and while no decision has been confirmed, Liam Keen has given reasons as to how O’Neil can land the job.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 11 |
| 16 |  LeedsLeeds | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 11 |
| 17 |  BurnleyBurnley | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 19 | -7 | 10 |
| 18 |  West HamWest Ham | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 7 |
| 19 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 6 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 22 | -15 | 2 |
Keen said on the E&S Wolves Podcast, “I think if I’m going to look at it objectively, Gary’s a very good talker. He’s very personable and a good tactician as well, and I think he’s very good at putting his ideas across.
“If he can put himself in a position where he’s able to speak to the Wolves hierarchy and show them exactly what he’d do with this squad, I think he is capable of talking himself into – well, he’s already a serious contender – but potentially getting the job.
“What he needs to do if he is going to get this job, or try and get this job, is show Wolves where he’s learnt and where he’s improved.
“I think he needs to make some serious changes to the backroom staff he brings with him, and I would expect that to happen. You might see one or two familiar faces return with him, but overall, I would expect to see wholesale changes.”
Interestingly, it was just weeks ago when O’Neil subtly aimed a dig at Fosun. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Wolves head coach stressed the importance of structure.
Now, he will have to convince the very same people that he is the man to lead Wolves forward and that he has improved himself as a manager in just under a year.
Gary O’Neil said he learnt the most after getting sacked by Wolves
Gary O’Neil is seemingly a different manager, according to his own words.
The former Wolves man believes his final months as the Old Gold manager are where he has learnt the most.
On Sky Sports, O’Neil said, “Since I was out of there [Wolves], I have not stopped working. I have been off for nine months, and I have been working every day for myself.
“I have been watching every game, meeting with set-piece coaches, talking about where the game is headed, and trying to stay up to date with it.
“It is easy to look back on these [season at Bournemouth and first at Wolves] and enjoy them, but these are the bits [second season at Wolves] where you really learn and get better.”
- READ MORE: Two winners and two losers as Gary O’Neil tipped for Wolves return, including Joao Gomes and Andre
O’Neil may have learnt a lot about football and his managerial style and tactics, but it is still a massive risk for both himself and the club.
His arrival would be met with angst from supporters who still remember the bad times in those final few months of his tenure.
The squad is much worse than it was under his spell, and O’Neil returning makes little sense due to that.
Jeff Shi is better off looking for a new and fresh option.