Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas hail Wolves manager Gary O’Neil.
In an unexpected turn of events, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has earned high praise from football pundits Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas. Ferdinand, in particular, deems O’Neil as the most surprising element of 2023, while Jenas goes a step further, declaring him the manager of the year.
Wolves recently secured a 3-0 victory against Everton at Molineux, concluding the calendar year on a positive note. This outcome is especially noteworthy considering the pre-season concerns shared by pundits and fans alike. Wolves faced uncertainties as Julen Lopetegui departed just days before the new season, compounded by the sale of key players like captain Ruben Neves to address financial challenges.
Gary O’Neil, named as Lopetegui’s successor, faced skepticism despite his commendable track record at Bournemouth. However, the narrative surrounding O’Neil has shifted drastically as Wolves accumulated 28 points from 20 games. Rio Ferdinand acknowledges the transformation, labeling O’Neil as the biggest surprise of 2023. Ferdinand credits O’Neil and his collaboration with Shaun Derry for rejuvenating the club, emphasizing the positive impact on and off the field.
Contrary to pre-season expectations of relegation, O’Neil’s adept management has led Wolves to play attractive and effective football. Ferdinand expresses his astonishment at O’Neil’s performance, recognizing the manager’s significant role in defying earlier predictions. He applauds the tactical adjustments and the overall positive changes initiated by O’Neil and Derry.
While Ferdinand would ultimately name Jurgen Klopp as his manager of 2023, Jermaine Jenas diverges in his choice, honoring O’Neil with the title. Jenas emphasizes the difficulty of the task O’Neil faced when taking on the managerial role and commends him for navigating those challenges successfully.
The article underscores the remarkable achievement of O’Neil, highlighting the challenges he overcame, including the disarray at the club following Lopetegui’s departure. The players themselves experienced confusion during this period, as revealed by Max Kilman. Despite initial doubts, O’Neil has orchestrated a colossal effort from both himself and the players, earning the support of the fans.
The tactical acumen demonstrated by O’Neil is not only evident in the team’s exciting style of play but also in their victories against formidable opponents such as Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea. The article concludes with a suggestion that if Wolves can sustain their current form and potentially contend for European places, O’Neil would be a strong contender for the Manager of the Season accolade. This recognition signifies the positive impact O’Neil has had on Wolves, transforming them into an exciting and competitive force in English football.
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