Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has spoken out about his view on Bournemouth ahead of the Old Gold’s clash with his former club this evening.
Gary O’Neil will be looking to do the double over his ex-club at Molineux tonight, as Wolves search for their first win in their previous five Premier League games.
The Old Gold beat Bournemouth at the Vitality back in October, winning 2-1 thanks to a late goal courtesy of Sasa Kalajdzic to make the manager’s return a positive occasion.
There is no bad blood between O’Neil and Bournemouth, with the consensus from the Cherries’ side being that they are where they are because of his work last term, as the South Coast side looked to be strong relegation candidates throughout 2022/23.
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That being said, many found it incredibly difficult to process the disrespect that Bournemouth showed the manager by dismissing him after keeping the side in the Premier League.
Everything happens for a reason, with the shock decision last summer proving to be a positive thing for both O’Neil and Wolves, who have found sanctuary together throughout this campaign.
With a look to tonight’s fixture, the boss shared his verdict on Bournemouth’s season, sharing whether he seeks revenge on the Cherries for their decision to part ways with him last year.
Gary O’Neil talks down revenge claims ahead of Wolves v Bournemouth
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, O’Neil was quizzed on his former club and was asked if there was an element to his preparation of the fixture that wanted to show Bournemouth what they are missing.
“Not at all. Zero. If you did that in football you’d constantly be competing with teams and people you left behind. You move on all the time.
“I’m pleased they are doing well and I think the whole football club has progressed fantastically well. If you look at the net spend, they are the fifth-highest spenders in the league in the last two windows.
“We are in similar positions in the league but different situations. I’m fully focused on our situation.”
The Wolves boss denied any negative thoughts towards the Cherries, whom he took over as interim manager from Scott Parker in August 2022, before being named manager in November on an 18-month contract.
Gary O’Neil will want to beat Bournemouth simply for Wolves’ benefit
Considering the remarkable job that O’Neil has done at Molineux this season, combatting the problems that come with having an extremely limited amount of squad depth, a win tonight will be hoped for, purely for the sake of the Old Gold.
In his press conference, the manager also gave a nod to Wolves, giving credit to his work at Bournemouth that subsequently landed him a job at a ‘big club’.
“I managed to make a decent go of it, hence my opportunity at a big club like Wolves.”
Just weeks ago, there was talk that O’Neil could deliver a European dream at Molineux next season however, due to a piling list of key absences and a shortened squad, form has dropped off dramatically over the past five games.
For that reason alone, Wolves will be eyeing three points against Bournemouth to attempt to end the 2023/24 campaign on a positive note, in what has been a thrilling time for both O’Neil and the Midlands club.