Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has impressed over his first season at Molineux, with journalist Liam Keen admitting that one of the manager’s early moments surprised many.
It’s been a successful season for Wolves who have just one game remaining of the 2023/24 calendar.
The Old Gold entered the campaign with little direction or belief as Julen Lopetegui departed days before the Premier League opener, seeing Gary O’Neil take charge with no time to adapt.
For all of the ups and downs that the Englishman has weathered in his first year in the Midlands, the consensus is that the 40-year-old is the perfect candidate to take the squad forward.
With just 90 minutes at Anfield left to play this season, there has been some time for reflection, seeing one of the manager’s early moments relived by journalist Liam Keen.
Gary O’Neil surprised many in his first game in charge of Wolves against Manchester United
Being appointed as Wolves manager just days before the club’s Premier League opener, O’Neil was handed a significant challenge for his first game of the season, as the Old Gold began the campaign at Old Trafford.
Wolves have won just one of their Premier League meetings away to Manchester United, giving the manager a great task to attempt to overcome on his first outing as the boss.
While the visitors lost the game 1-0 in controversial circumstances, journalist Liam Keen admitted that O’Neil ‘surprised’ many with the quality of the squad’s display against the Red Devils.
Speaking on The Keen & Judah Show, the Wolves expert said:
“He arrived at Wolves with a point to prove and probably surprised all of us with the performance they put in at Old Trafford against a decent Manchester United side.
“There was that VAR thing, regardless of that Wolves could have easily won that game. It was a performance that was worthy of three points and they came away from zero.”
Wolves were denied a penalty in what was a baffling decision in the dying embers as Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic, seeing the game end 1-0 in what was an encouraging first performance from O’Neil’s men.
Gary O’Neil must build on his first season at Wolves
As far as first auditions go, the Englishman proved that he is the perfect figure to take Wolves to former heights, bringing the best out of a host of players and improving the general spirit at Molineux.
From reaching the FA Cup quarter-final to beating some of the best sides in the Premier League, the 2023/24 campaign will be remembered fondly for Wolves, particularly if the Midlands club can cause an upset in Jurgen Klopp’s final game on Sunday.
While O’Neil has undoubtedly improved things on the pitch at Wolves, particularly in front of goal as the squad eclipsed their goal tally from last season after just 22 games, work must be done in the summer to support the boss.
The transfer window will be pivotal in allowing the 40-year-old to continue his impressive journey so far at the club, with more surprises hopefully in store next term.
