Gary O’Neil reportedly set to join new club

A new, somewhat surprising, option has surfaced in the ongoing search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool. According to DaveOCKOP, Gary O’Neil, the current manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been interviewed for the prestigious position.

The search for Klopp’s replacement has been anything but uncomplicated. Xabi Alonso appeared to be a strong candidate until he reaffirmed his contract with Bayer Leverkusen for another season. Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon was thereafter projected as the favorite, only for West Ham United to potentially lure him to London. This prompted Liverpool to extend their search, which led to Gary O’Neil’s candidacy.

O’Neil’s managerial career, however brief, has been noteworthy. After a successful tenure as caretaker manager at Bournemouth, where he defied expectations and avoided relegation, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. At Wolves, O’Neil has been credited for stabilizing a struggling club. His efforts at Bournemouth had garnered him high praise, and his surprise departure from Wolves was viewed as a loss for the club, exacerbated by his subsequent replacement by Andoni Iraola.

O’Neil is no stranger to Liverpool, having previously worked in the club’s coaching structure. In 2020, he was the assistant manager of Liverpool’s under-23 squad. His familiarity with important figures in Liverpool’s administration, including Michael Edwards, the club’s former sporting director, and Richard Hughes, who was just hired as Liverpool’s new sporting director and previously worked at Bournemouth during O’Neil’s stint, puts him in a unique position. This link may offer him an advantage in understanding the club’s values and expectations.

While O’Neil has been interviewed, DaveOCKOP points out that “it does not mean that O’Neil is the favourite and it’s definite that he will take over from Jurgen Klopp.” Liverpool continues to analyze many prospects, and the decision-making process is ongoing. O’Neil’s probable appointment might mark a shift in Liverpool’s strategic orientation, with an emphasis on stabilizing and building from within, leveraging his established track record of nurturing and managing teams in difficult situations.

The decision on who will take over from Klopp is critical for Liverpool’s future. It is unclear whether O’Neil will advance beyond the initial interview to become the top candidate. Nonetheless, his appearance on the list of potentials adds an interesting dimension to the selection process.