Gary O’Neil sends stark warning to incoming new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira.
Sacked Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil pre-emptively warned his replacement about a key issue at the football club.
Whoever takes over in the Wolves hot seat must be aware of two key areas the club are suffering in, as discussed by O’Neil in his final press conference.
The 41-year-old suggested Wanderers are severely lacking the presence of a central defender with both pace and physicality. O’Neil believes the lack of replacement for Maximilian Kilman has been incredibly costly with the situation worsened by the long-term knee injury suffered by Yerson Mosquera.
“We’re not blessed with loads of defenders, we’re definitely not blessed with lots of physicality in defence,” O’Neil said after Saturday’s fateful 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town.
“Yerson was excellent pace-wise, aerially. Max Kilman was excellent physically, pace-wise and aerially. We don’t have one of those now that are good at both of those.
Joao Gomes reacts with 13 words to Wolves’ sacking of Gary O’Neil.
Wolves finally parted company with Gary O’Neil at the weekend following a defeat to Ipswich Town.
Gary O’Neil had been on borrowed time for a while, having overseen three straight defeats heading into that game with the Tractor Boys.
But O’Neil did receive the backing of Jeff Shi ahead of the game – which was an absolutely bizarre call from the chairman.
O’Neil was sacked on Sunday and within hours, it was reported that Wolves were in talks with Vitor Pereira, who now looks all but certain to succeed O’Neil.
On Sunday evening, Matheus Cunha reacted to the sacking of O’Neil on Instagram. Leon Chiwome also thanked O’Neil on his Instagram Story, but responses from Wolves players to his exit haven’t exactly been plentiful.
But last night, Joao Gomes did send a message in light of the news.
Joao Gomes thanks Gary O’Neil after Wolves sack decision
Joao Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at London…
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Joao Gomes was one player who responded really well to O’Neil’s arrival at Wolves.
He had been a rotational player under Julen Lopetegui but following the departure of Ruben Neves, it was his time to partner Mario Lemina in midfield.
