Steve McManaman has expressed his delight for Gary O’Neil, after he masterminded a win over Manchester City for Wolves.
Wanderers shocked everyone yesterday as they recorded a huge 2-1 win over the champions at Molineux.
Most people didn’t give Wolves a prayer.
After all, results have been hard to come by and on Tuesday, Wolves were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Ipswich in embarrassing fashion.
But O’Neil set his team up perfectly, going with a back three and a plan to counter.
O’Neil said post-match that this was probably the biggest win of his managerial career so far, and one man who is particularly happy for him is the former City midfielder McManaman.
This was a win O’Neil really needed.
His job was not under threat heading into the game. But the pressure had just been cranking up slightly.
It was a huge result, and McManaman couldn’t hide his delight for O’Neil after the game.
He said on Premier League Productions’ Matchday Live Extra show: “All credit to Wolves. They caught City on an off day. The caught Erling Haaland on an off day. And they got the job done. I’m pleased for Gary O’Neil. They haven’t had the run of lack have they Wolves, early on in this Premier League season.
“I know Gary very well and I know Tim Jenkins his number two so personally I’m really happy for the pair of them. They’ve got a really impressive result today.
“I thought he was treated awfully by Bournemouth. So for him to get a result like that… it speaks volumes. A good, young English coach. I hope he does really well at Wolves.”
O’Neil was harshly sacked by Bournemouth back in June of this year, despite keeping them in the Premier League with relative comfort last season.
It was fantastic to see O’Neil put an alternative plan in place against City and have his players execute it for him.
This was a result he needed, after the disappointment of losing to Ipswich.
O’Neil has always spoken well, and he has genuinely been a bit unlucky so far with some results.
His appointment by the club happened very quickly and he is still working things out.
Hopefully this win over City will buy him the breathing room he deserves.