Just days after his departure from Wolves, Gary O’Neil has reportedly been approached by Millwall regarding their vacant managerial position.
The 41-year-old was relieved of his duties at Molineux on Sunday, with Wolves swiftly moving to appoint Vitor Pereira as his replacement.
Millwall’s Approach
According to The Mirror, Millwall reached out to O’Neil as they search for a successor to Neil Harris, who left the club last week. Despite Millwall’s interest, O’Neil reportedly felt it was too soon to return to management. His recent exit from Wolves marked the end of a turbulent stint in the Premier League following his tenure at AFC Bournemouth.
Millwall are currently navigating a period of uncertainty after Harris’ departure. The former Lions boss resigned following a controversial outburst in which he labelled critics of the team as “thickos.” Despite the off-field drama, Harris managed an impressive points tally during his second stint at the club, surpassed only by Leeds United and Middlesbrough among current Championship teams.
In the interim, Adam Barrett will take charge of Millwall’s upcoming fixtures, which include challenging matches against Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, Coventry City, and Oxford United. The club is reportedly considering several candidates, with Alex Neil, Steven Schumacher, and Matt Bloomfield among the names linked to the position.
O’Neil’s Career Prospects
O’Neil, who began his managerial journey with AFC Bournemouth in 2022, has primarily managed in the Premier League but has some Championship experience from his time as a coach under Jonathan Woodgate at Bournemouth. As a player, O’Neil enjoyed a career spanning several second-tier clubs, including Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, and West Ham.
His brief tenure at Wolves was marked by struggles, but his availability makes him an attractive candidate for clubs seeking an experienced coach with top-flight exposure. However, it appears that any return to the dugout will be on O’Neil’s terms and timeline.
Writer’s View
Gary O’Neil’s swift approach by Millwall underscores his reputation as a capable manager despite recent setbacks. While it seems too soon for O’Neil to step back into the fray, Millwall’s proactive interest highlights their ambition to secure a high-calibre replacement for Neil Harris. For O’Neil, a period of reflection might serve him well before embarking on his next challenge.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
