Ex-West Ham star now in advanced talks to become new Wolves manager
West Ham look set to see a familiar face take charge of their likely relegation rivals Wolves.
The Midlands outfit sacked their head coach Vitor Pereira on Sunday after a 3-0 defeat at Fulham kept them rooted to the bottom of the early-season Premier League table.
Nuno Espirito Santo eased the pressure on him at West Ham by securing a vital 3-1 victory over Newcastle this weekend, for his first three points since stepping into the dugout in E20.
The Portuguese appears ready for a survival fight at the London Stadium, and one of his club’s former heroes looks set to take charge of a big rival.
Gary O’Neil set for imminent return to Wolves
West Ham parted company with Graham Potter at the end of September, and up until this weekend, they have not had the typical ‘new manager bounce’ that would have been expected.
Nuno has had a difficult start to life in charge of the Hammers, but things are now looking up after the win over Newcastle.
Wolves will now be hopeful of reeping the benefits themselves, with the search to find a replacement for Pereira seemingly close to reaching its conclusion already.
They are in advanced talks to secure a surprise return for former boss Gary O’Neil, according to John Percy via his X account.
The 42-year-old was only dismissed at Molineux less than a year ago, but he already seems set to return to his old stomping ground.
It is understood that other options are being assessed by the division’s bottom club, but O’Neil is establishing himself as a “very strong” option.
Gary O’Neil spent two years with West Ham as a player
O’Neil was recently interviewed for the West Ham job, before David Sullivan and Co. opted to hand Nuno the reins, and his association with the club doesn’t end there.
The Englishman spent two years wearing the famous claret and blue during his playing career, a spell which saw him make 48 appearances in all competitions.
The former midfielder signed for the Hammers from Middlesbrough in January 2011, and made his debut in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final defeat to Birmingham City.
West Ham were relegated at the end of that season, but O’Neil played an important part in their immediate return to the top flight, and started as they beat Blackpool in the Championship play-off final in 2012.
He was then released in the summer of 2013, having made 24 appearances in the Irons’ Premier League return.
O’Neil then spent time in the Championship with the likes of Norwich City and Bristol City, before ending his career in 2019 after one season at Bolton.
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