Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has shared his verdict on one element of the Old Gold’s defeat to Manchester City, insisting that it won’t happen again.
While Wolves weren’t expected to go and win against Manchester City last week, there was some hope that Gary O’Neil’s side would give the hosts a game at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s treble winners are yet to lose at the Etihad this season, with their 5-1 victory over Wolves extending the run, a defeat that will be marked as a day to forget for the Old Gold.
From a controversial penalty call to the clinical streak of Erling Haaland, the visitors left Manchester jaded, not eased by the absence of O’Neil on the touchline.
READ MORE: Matheus Cunha and Max Kilman share opinion on VAR after Wolves defeat to Man City
Usually commanding and insightful to his players in-game, the Wolves boss watched from afar as his side were thrashed by the reigning champions as a result of picking up a touchline ban against West Ham last month.
Commenting on his charge by the FA, O’Neil insisted that after seeing what unfolded at the Etihad, he would not wish to be away from the action again.
Gary O’Neil comments on touchline ban after Man City defeat
Speaking to the media after the 5-1 defeat, relayed by Express and Star, the Wolves manager shared his verdict on watching from the stands as his side lost control early on against City.
“It’s the first time I’ve had to take a game not from the touchline, it’s not something I’m planning to experience too often, so hopefully it’s my first and last charge and ban.
“It was my first hearing and a discussion around what happened and what was meant when certain things were said.
“The punishment is fair and I’ve learned my lesson.”
In a game as challenging as Manchester City away, O’Neil’s guidance would have been beneficial to managing the squad and his players however, the boss seems to have learned from his actions.
Why Gary O’Neil was banned from the touchline
That being said, from a Wolves perspective, many would sympathise with the tale of how the 40-year-old came to receive a touchline ban after the Old Gold were caught up in VAR controversy against West Ham.
On April 6th, O’Neil made comments that were deemed unacceptable by the FA following Max Kilman’s equaliser being chalked off in injury time as a result of an offside call, despite Kilman himself not being in an offside position.
Like many instances this season, the decision split opinion, with O’Neil left perplexed at the officials, which he commented on after the City defeat.
“I’m keen to get my point across to officials on what I think is correct and not correct, but I need to make sure I always do it in the right way.
“I overstepped the mark for the West Ham game slightly, which is why I received the one-game ban. I accept that and move on.”
Tensions are high in football and even more so when decisions go against a side, seeing O’Neil pay the price of crossing a boundary as he watched helplessly as Wolves were picked apart by Manchester City.