Wolverhampton Wanderers

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In my opinion, I do not think some of the loss of discipline from Wolves players was on Gary O'Neil.

It shows a great sense of frustration with the position they are in. It is their belief that they should be doing better and some of the results that are going against them are in games they would be going into having earmarked three points from them.

To not come away with no points and for performances to be the way that they were, such as losing at home in the last minute to Ipswich, you cannot condone what happened but I have seen people get that angry before.

They are struggling to control their emotions. It is the type of thing they will apologise for with huge regret because it will not represent who they are the majority of the time but it shows a place in crisis.

There are teams losing the same amount of games as them who are not having those moments. When that starts to happen, it puts a different type of pressure on the manager and the coaching staff. That is because for a long time you could say the performances were all right, they still had their discipline and there was a sense of hope. But it changes the conversation when the players who you are in charge of are doing things like they did.

I would not say O'Neil had to stop the players from doing it but they are probably in the worst position they have been in their careers which is why they are acting how they are.

The new manager coming in is losing out on players through suspension who could make a big difference. It shows emotionally where that team was at.

I would say those reactions show a team that has not given up - but is at rock bottom.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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From what we have all learned about surely this week's most-Googled man in the Black Country, there may be only one prediction to make with confidence: something dramatic will happen.

Having finally concluded that they held a losing hand, Wolves have pushed in their chips, and drawn another card.

Actually, you would be surprised if just how many chips they are pushing in did not form part of the discussions with Vitor Pereira, however briefly.

Pereira, we are told, has been aching for a chance in the Premier League, having been, by his own account, "convinced" he was about to take an English job on at least one previous occasion.

Could he really be so anxious to come to England - at a club which, it was widely reported last week, some targeted coaches found less appealing - without being sure Wolves would support him when the transfer window begins in two weeks?

This is pertinent because, in the wreckage of Saturday evening, Gary O'Neil finally accepted in public that the current Wolves squad is insufficient for the task.

Were, I asked him, the answers to the problems currently within the dressing room? "It doesn't look like it, does it? We have tried every player... we have a massive problem with physicality against teams."

Whether the existing squad ought to be capable of at least finishing 17th, a grimly limited ambition compared with the club's confident talk of a few years ago, is a fair debate. But with the witness statement of his predecessor as evidence, Pereira should be able to present a strong case for immediate investment.

As well as planning for January, though, there is a great deal to sort out right now. Pereira takes over a side that, on Saturday, was again ill-disciplined when the ball was in play - unable, according to O'Neil, to carry out his clear instructions when defending set-pieces - and ill-disciplined after the game, with possible consequences which could make his first few games even harder.

"Disciplinarian with emotional intelligence" was suggested to me on BBC Radio WM on Tuesday as a suitable description of Pereira. That sounds like a good start. If he can organise them to defend a set-piece reliably as well, he will be just the man.

Weighing up the squad he inherits, his career record, and the fixtures ahead, there is a huge range of possible outcomes. But it may not be long before we have a clear idea in which direction things are heading.

Listen to full commentary of Leicester v Wolves at 14:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio WM

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South American football expert Tim Vickery believes that in Brazil "there will be a lot of eyebrows raised" about Vitor Pereira taking the Wolves job but believes teams in Europe know of the success that the Portuguese has had in Portugal and Greece.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Vitor Pereira is due to travel to Wolverhampton on Tuesday to complete a deal to become Wolves' new head coach.

The Premier League strugglers are paying around 1m euros to bring the Al-Shabab boss to the West Midlands.

Pereira, a former Porto manager, is expected to sign an 18-month deal as long as there are no late problems, but negotiations have gone smoothly and he could be confirmed at Molineux by the end of the day.

The 56-year-old's first game is set to be at Leicester City on Sunday, with Wolves second bottom of the table and five points behind the 17th-placed Foxes.

Wolves have lost 11 of their 16 games and sacked head coach Gary O'Neil on Sunday following Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.

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South American football expert Tim Vickery says Vitor Pereira "was able to adapt to what he had" at Corinthians and "got the best out of his players."

Pereira, who is currently in talks with Wolves to replace Gary O'Neil, has never managed in the Premier League but has won four league titles in three countries.

Reflecting on his managerial career in Brazil, Vickery told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club: "He did a pretty good job at Corinthians - a massive club from Sao Paulo - but they were in financial problems.

"That was a difficult job, but he marshalled his resources pretty well there. He got them to fourth in the league, and they got through to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores [the South American equivalent of the Champions League] and all the way to the final of the Brazilian Cup.

"He cut his cloth pretty well at Corinthians, and the system he used was a 4-1-4-1. He did a sound job and he was able to adapt to what he had. He got the best out of his players.

"In Brazil, there will be a lot of eyebrows raised about a Premier League club chasing him. Although those in Europe will say 'look at the success he's had in Portugal and Greece' - but that was a long while ago.

Pereira won two Primeira Liga titles in both his seasons with FC Porto in 2012 and 2013. He also won the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015.

New York Times' chief soccer correspondent, Rory Smith added: "He has worked for fairly erratic clubs. He has tried to get a job in England before when he was linked to Everton but the fans didn't want him so that never happened.

"Corinthians and Flamengo are huge jobs in Brazil, but other than that, maybe you could say he has struggled to get the jobs that he would have wanted."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Saturday began with pride but ended in embarrassment for Wolves.

The club celebrated the 70th anniversary of Wolves v Honved, a historic moment that paved the way for the European Cup. It was a reminder of Wolves' once-prominent role in global football.

However, the on-pitch performance was a stark contrast. What started as a disappointing display turned into outright embarrassment by the final whistle, with players unable to manage their emotions. This lack of discipline has been brewing for weeks and ultimately signalled that Gary O'Neil's time as manager had run its course.

Frustrated fans have understandably reached their limit with the ongoing chaos at the club. The overdue decision to part ways with O'Neil may mark the beginning of a new chapter, but this is just the first step in addressing deeper issues that plague Wolves. Significant work is still required to restore the club's fortunes.

Enter Vitor Pereira, widely tipped to take the reins.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and outspoken nature, Pereira could provide the shake-up Wolves desperately need. His discipline-focused management style may come as a shock to both players and the broader club hierarchy at Molineux, but it feels necessary to break the cycle of mediocrity.

Pereira's enthusiasm for managing in the Premier League brings hope, especially given that some top-tier managers have previously shown little interest in the Wolves project. His winning record at Porto - an impressive 69.89% according to Transfermarkt, external - stacks up favourably compared to Nuno Espirito Santo's 55.1% and Julen Lopetegui's 67.95%. This level of experience and gravitas is exactly what Wolves need from their next boss.

Backing Pereira in the January transfer window is essential. Defensive reinforcements are likely to be a priority but deeper issues, such as the squad's ingrained losing mentality, also demand urgent attention. Changing the team's mindset could require more than just a couple of new players.

The Wolves hierarchy's renewed collaboration with Jorge Mendes and Gestifute marks an interesting return to past methods. While the club had recently shifted toward recruitment led by sporting director Matt Hobbs, Mendes' involvement might provide stability amid the current chaos. How this relationship evolves in the coming months could shape Wolves' future.

Pereira's arrival signals hope for a new era at Wolves. However, actions must follow intentions, and only time will tell if this marks a true turning point.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

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Wolves have a "massive problem" with their physicality but it "doesn't look" like the answers are in the current squad, according to Gary O'Neil.

O'Neil was sacked on Sunday following a late defeat at home by relegation rivals Ipswich which has left the team 19th in the table and five points from safety.

The side's defensive frailties were once again on show in that loss with the now managerless team having conceded the most goals in the league this season with 40, half of which have come from set-pieces and another league-high nine from corners.

The club are now in talks with Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira but, speaking to BBC Radio WM before he lost his job, O'Neil has already highlighted the problems the Portuguese could inherit.

"If your Achilles heel and your flaws are that bad you can't cope with two basic things like that [the two goals from Ipswich], then the rest of it almost becomes irrelevant," he said.

"We are massively lacking in those areas and when your weaknesses are that weak then it takes a hell of a lot of effort to make up for them.

"We are doing so much with the group to help them in those moments but we are not finding those answers."

When asked if the the answer is in the current dressing room, O'Neil responded: "It doesn't look like it, does it?

"At this moment in time, we have tried every player. Fans always think the player they haven't seen is the answer. It was Carlos Forbs and then it wasn't Carlos Forbs. Then it was Rodrigo Gomes and then it wasn't. And then it is Tommy Doyle and then it isn't. It is not that.

"We have a massive problem with physicality against teams. When we really need to find a way to dig in and cope with direct play, cope with balls in the box, we are falling short at this moment."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Ryan Leister from the Wolves Report podcast spoke to the BBC Radio WM Breakfast show about prospect of Vitor Pereira replacing Gary O'Neil: "I'm confident they will have a new manager in place, and let's face it, Wolves' best years have come under a Portuguese manager – Nuno – so another Portuguese manager, with a lot of Portuguese and Brazilian players, would be very much welcome.

"Fans are going to want somebody who is going to have a firmer hand. We've seen the players lose their discipline over the last few games, we've seen the results waver, granted it's not totally the manager's fault because he's not been fully backed, but with the players he had at his disposal he should have been doing better.

"This manager is a bit more experienced. He's worked with some top players, so hopefully if it's him, he can bring the best out of them and take Wolves as high as 17th."

Former Wolves striker David Kelly added: "My problem with Vitor would be that he's had loads of clubs in 10 years. He goes in for a short period of time and goes out. So it'll be interesting to see what the club do, whether they go for old-timers or the new up-and-coming coach types.

"But you've got to try to rejuvenate the dressing room. Whichever coach comes in, they've got to get the players singing from the same hymn-sheet, because at the moment they look like a rabble of people that have just been thrown together."

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Wolves are currently in talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab's manager, Vitor Pereira, over replacing the sacked Gary O'Neil.

The 56-year-old has never managed in the Premier League, despite nearly becoming the Everton coach in 2022, but he has depths of experience elsewhere.

The Al-Shabab manager has won four league titles in three countries.

He won two Primeira Liga titles in both his seasons with FC Porto in 2012 and 2013. He also won the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015.

The latest league title Pereira won was the Chinese Super League title when managing Shanghai SIPG in 2018.

Alongside these league titles, Pereira has a number of cup successes to his name. These include, two Portuguese Super Cups, a Greek Cup and a Chinese Super Cup.

Pereira has been managing for over 20 years, with clubs like Fenerbahce, Corinthians and Flamengo also on his CV.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans:

Glyn: What concerns me is not so much the performance during the game it is when it's ended. The scenes at West Ham have once again repeated themselves today, albeit worse. There is little or no discipline in the team as I see it. Imagine a team in the forces without discipline in combat say, how long would they last? I can never remember seeing such conduct from a Wolves team in my life.

Peter: If ever Wolves needed a strong leader on the pitch, it's now. The lack of discipline at corners that has proved so expensive this season could to some extent have been avoided by the presence of an experienced player in the mould of Conor Coady who did such a valuable job for Wolves. The defensive frailty that most fans warned about at the start of the season is now plain for all to see and almost certain to relegate Wolves.

Mark: Poor and lacked any passion in the first half. Only when Tommy Doyle was brought on did we show any intent. Why is he not starting? One of a quite few questions needing answers.

Ipswich fans:

Joe: At last, Ipswich Town get the rub of the green. After so many games where we deserved to get more than we did, about time we got a fortunate ending. The dream is back on!

David: What worries me is that after Ipswich go a goal up, they invite the opposition to attack them. We saw this against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and now Wolves. There were so many times we gifted possession to Wolves in the second half, as if we just didn't know what to do with the ball. We were lucky to get the win - a draw would have been a fairer result.

Matt: So proud of the lads. They've given us so much joy over the last couple of years and have worked so hard in the Premier League this season, often not quite getting what they deserve, so this is a sweet victory. Many of our players have been on a wonderful journey and it is a pleasure to be on it with them!

Simon: Town have now won that important second game proving that the first against a poor Spurs side was not a fluke. Throughout, they have competed well in every game usually losing by the odd goal. Obviously, I would like us to stay up, but please everyone enjoy the ride, the journey. Kieran McKenna is definitely the best signing of the summer and is doing a fantastic job. Regardless of how this season pans out I'm very confident for the future and loving every minute. Well done to everyone from top to bottom at Ipswich Town. Go the Tractor Boys.

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Gary O'Neil was sacked on Sunday with Wolves second from bottom as defeat to Ipswich left them with no points from their past four games.

In the aftermath of the defeat, players clashed with Ipswich staff and security, as Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent off in the tunnel after clashing with Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha could be the subject of a Football Association investigation having been involved in an altercation with Ipswich's security.

"It doesn't help that the players are losing their heads," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "It was Mario Lemina last week and now Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha losing it this week.

"The change probably comes at the right time."

Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira is rumoured to be first choice to replace O'Neil, but Wolves travel to Leicester City on Sunday - who are only two points above the relegation zone.

"The Wolves squad is good enough to get out of trouble so they have to recruit well," Morrison added.

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Dave Azzopardi
Fan writer

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The news of Gary O'Neil's sacking is something that many Wolves fans have been waiting some weeks for. Results and performances have been extremely underwhelming so far this season and O'Neil has been walking on a tightrope since early October.

He deserves credit for the job he did at Wolves last season. He came in just days notice before a Premier League campaign and fans saw some really strong results and good moments at Molineux. However, a downfall in form towards the end of the last campaign has spilled into this season and O'Neil has been unable to change Wolves' fortunes.

Different tactics have been used, players have swapped positions but nothing has fallen into place for Wolves and O'Neil this season. A huge concern is the club's defensive record with defending set pieces being a real area of weakness. I'd be shocked if another Premier League side in the past has conceded the amount of set pieces Wolves have at this point of a season.

Whoever takes over now as head coach needs to get this squad to believe again. No doubt the new head coach will have to be backed in January but there is quality in this squad. If they can shore up the squad defensively and kick off with a positive result this weekend at Leicester, hopefully Wolves turn it around and manage to secure survival.

Find more from Dave Azzopardi at Talking Wolves, external

Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter rebuffed interest from Wolves last month as the Midlands club looked into options to replace Gary O'Neil, who has now been sacked. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Wolves are in talks with Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira to replace head coach Gary O'Neil, who was sacked by the club on Sunday.

The Premier League strugglers are looking for a swift appointment and the money they would have to pay as compensation to secure former Porto and Olympiakos boss Pereira is not believed to be an issue.

Wolves have been assessing their options and have sounded other possible replacements, including ex-West Ham and Manchester United boss David Moyes.

But club sources have told BBC Sport that Pereira is the frontrunner for the job.

Pereira has been in charge at Al Shabab since February, finishing eighth in the Saudi Pro League last season. They currently sit sixth after seven wins from 13 games.

The 56-year-old Portuguese won two Primeira Liga titles with Porto in 2012 and 2013 and the Greek Super League with Olympiakos in 2015.

The Wolves squad are not due to return for training until Tuesday and Pereira could be in charge by then, with his first game Sunday's trip to Leicester if negotiations go as planned.

Read more here

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We asked for your thoughts about the departure of Gary O'Neil.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: I am always sorry to see a manager lose their job and this is made harder given it's a week before Christmas and O'Neil is such a likeable guy. That being said, this is the right decision for the club and is probably a couple of weeks too late. It should have happened after the Everton defeat. The key now is getting someone in before the January window who can shore up the club and prevent relegation.

Dave: Honestly, what does the club board expect? Constantly forced to sell your best players and replacing them with second-rate players or unproven youngsters. This is like Southampton from a few years back. On the pitch, they have made chances but not stuck them away, and there's been too many individual nightmares at the back (not errors, nightmares). O'Neil has been unlucky due to this culmination of circumstances on and off the pitch. Not much else he could have done without being on the pitch.

Phil: Should have gone weeks ago. Admittedly selling off our best players doesn't help but the quality that's left is capable of doing a lot better.

Karl: It's a shame really - £200m in sold players and more to come. Who on earth is going to do a better job with the same team and same outcome and more sold players to come to balance the books? I love Wolves - and it's a big but - it's inevitable it's only going one way.

Chris: Sacking O'Neil was long overdue. His team had no identity and no idea how to defend corners! He didn't know his best team. Jeff Shi and Fosun now need to take a long look in the mirror and ask themselves, do they want to be here?

Michael: Thank goodness! The media 'love-in' with Gary has been so misplaced. We have a very talented bunch of players who have been shuffled around the iPad constantly and are confused and bewildered. There is - and has been - no discernible pattern of play. And O'Neil's constant acceptance of plaudits for himself when things go well, and blame on the players for 'not doing what we've told them in the week', just sticks in the craw.

Will Perry
Final Score reporter

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Sourer than a lemon is how the mood tasted at Molineux as the full-time whistle blew. The chants of "Fosun Out" had began well before Matheus Cunha's equaliser.

It had felt like the writing was on the wall for Wolves just minutes into the game.

A deluge of wasted chances followed, conceding yet again from a set piece. Robert Plant and his friends have seen this film before and there certainly wasn't a Whole Lotta Love coming from the stands.

You would not bet against a Ruud awakening at King Power Stadium on Sunday before Ruben Amorim comes to town on Boxing Day to try and steal all Wolves' Christmas presents, with the gap to survival swelling.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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The issues were piling up and Wolves wanted to remain strong. The decision to part ways with Gary O'Neil is a reluctant one - not least because of chairman Jeff Shi's words of support last week now look hollow.

It was no surprise to hear the fans turn on the chairman and owners Fosun, rather than O'Neil, during the Ipswich game.

O'Neil was well liked and had the loyalty of the players, but the decision-makers saw no alternative. This season's run of 11 defeats in their opening 16 games continued a worrying trend from the end of the previous campaign.

And O'Neil had already been to the brink once. Sources told BBC Sport there was an acceptance from O'Neil's team that failure to beat Southampton on 9 November could have been terminal. A 2-0 win and a surprise 4-1 win at Fulham in the same month was a stay of execution.

In the end, a calamitous 4-2 home loss to Bournemouth, in which they conceded three penalties, and the hammering at Everton meant a change became almost inevitable.

O'Neil leaves Wolves with only two wins and with a game against Leicester City to come before Christmas.

The loyalty shown by Shi and sporting director Matt Hobbs will be questioned, but Wolves have been here before, replacing Bruno Lage with Julen Lopetegui when they were also second bottom two years ago.

They know a mid-season change can pay off even if there is little money to spend this time.

Gary O'Neil has been sacked after Saturday's 2-1 loss to Ipswich.

Wolves finished 14th in the 2023–24 Premier League season and O'Neil was rewarded in the summer with a new four-year contract.

However, after a tough start to this campaign, he departs with Wolves second from bottom with no points from their past four games.

What do you make of the sacking?

Was his time up after such a disappointing start, or did he deserve more time to turn things around?

Let us know here