Wolves star Matheus Cunha has made an interesting admission regarding his feelings when Gary O’Neil replaced Julen Lopetegui as manager.
O’Neil has just finished his first season at Molineux, and it was a fairly successful one all things considered.
He came in just days before the 2023/24 started, replacing Julen Lopetegui who had left the club by mutual consent, after he had grown frustrated with the club over the financial situation.
The appointment of O’Neil didn’t really go down all that well, but he quickly got people onside.
The former Bournemouth manager got the players to buy into him from the off, and in the end, he kept Wolves well away from the relegation zone.
Getting through to the players quickly was crucial, and Matheus Cunha has now admitted he was actually quite worried when the Englishman first came in…
Matheus Cunha explains why he was ‘afraid’ when Gary O’Neil became Wolves manager
Cunha joined Wolves in January 2023, arriving from Atletico Madrid as the new record signing at Molineux.
Wanderers forked out around £44 million for the Brazilian, which immediately put pressure on him to deliver – especially given Wolves were right in the thick of a relegation battle.
Lopetegui was pivotal in the signing of Cunha, but he was unable to get the best out of him in those initial months after he first signed.
Although his form wasn’t great, Cunha loved working with the Spaniard. And so, it was a hammer blow to him when the former Real Madrid head coach left when he did.
O’Neil came in as his replacement after impressing Matt Hobbs in his interview, but Cunha himself wasn’t convinced about the appointment to begin with. He told the E&S: “It was hard for me to be honest because Julen was the manager who brought me here.
“I had a very good relationship with him and I’m grateful to him for bringing me here. You always want to work with the manager who brought you here because you feel confident.
“Gary came and I started to be a little bit afraid about what would happen. I lost the manager who bought me and maybe this manager doesn’t like me!”
But Cunha was quickly won over. He added: “But I think it’s been the best relationship I’ve had with a gaffer, ever.
“I really enjoy working with him and how he manages the group. I’ve learned a lot on how to manage a group and hard situations.
“I have more appreciation for football with him. He is the person I have a lot of appreciation for.”
Cunha comments are a great reflection on O’Neil
The interview that Cunha has done with the E&S is a fascinating read, and the comments he has made about O’Neil really do show what a great job he did in 2023/24.
It is understandable that Cunha was in a state of confusion and worry after Lopetegui left. It was the case for most players, with Max Kilman suggesting things were really up in the air after the Spaniard went. He had played a key role in helping to bring Cunha to the football club, so it was little wonder he felt a bit worried.
But O’Neil instantly took a liking to Cunha, and the South American became one of Wolves’ most important players under him. And we have heard throughout the season how respectful they are of one another.
The comment from Cunha about O’Neil being his best relationship with a manager to date must be nice for the Englishman to hear. Hopefully, these two can build on what they did last term for next season.