Next Wolves Manager Odds: Gary O’Neil Huge Favourite To Replace Julen Lopetegui
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Wolverhampton Wanderers confirmed on August 8 that they had parted company with their manager Julen Lopetegui.
It appears the Spaniard was disillusioned by the lack of summer spending and that means Wolves could be in trouble next season according to UK betting sites.
Wolves’ big issue is that they are trying to operate within the Financial Fair Play framework, with Nathan Collins recently completing a big money move to Brentford.
With Lopetegui's departure now confirmed by the club, it could be that they bring in Gary O’Neil and the 40-year-old does have very recent experience when it comes to Premier League management.
Perhaps Michael Beale could be lured from Rangers to take charge at Molineux, while Sergio Conceicao (4/1) has regularly been linked with the managerial role at Wolves.
That Portuguese connection has previously seen Nuno Espirito Santo and Bruno Lage both take the hot seat at the club.
Can O’Neil Steer Wolves To Safety Next Season?
Gary O’Neil took the reins from Scott Parker at the Vitality Stadium last season and performed a very admirable job.
Football betting sites did not expect Bournemouth to remain in the Premier League and even less so after a 9-0 mauling at the hands of Liverpool, although O’Neil was able to galvanise the squad and steer them to safety.
Indeed, one of their later victories was a 1-0 triumph at home to Liverpool, with O’Neil then cruelly being given the sack by the Dorset club to be replaced by Andoni Iraola.
However, he has been a prize managerial catch for clubs since then and it appears that Wolves see him as the man for the job.
It’s hardly a surprise when you consider that O’Neil has previously worked well with lesser tools at his disposal in the top flight and that’s why he is rated as the 1/10 favourite for the Molineux post.
He will hope to organise the talented players in the Wolves squad, but it’s hard to see anything other than a relegation scrap for the West Midlands club.
Michael Beale Could Also Be A Wolves Contender
New betting sites might also think that Michael Beale could do a decent job at Molineux, with the former Queens Park Rangers manager currently in charge at Rangers.
It might be that Wolves bid to recruit him and he was certainly successful at Loftus Road before heading north of the border.
It’s unlikely that Beale would forsake his position at Ibrox right now, especially without any real financial assurances available.
But, Wolves might target someone who has a strong track record and is regarded as a progressive young manager.
That’s why you’ll find the Rangers boss at 2/1 in the market to replace Lopetegui in the Molineux dugout.
Could Nuno Return To Wolves?
Nuno Espirito Santo (9/2) has been linked with a return to Molineux before and perhaps the Portuguese could be open to taking charge of Wolves for the second time in his career.
He was certainly successful the first time around, steering the Midlands outfit to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Betting apps have Nuno as one of the favourites to replace Lopetegui, but he’s currently in charge of Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al Ittihad who won the second division last season.
Perhaps, with all the money that is now being pumped into the Saudi Pro League, he’s happy to remain there for the time being.
Graham Potter Looking For New Premier League Role
Twelve months ago, Graham Potter’s stock was high as he took charge of Brighton & Hove Albion for the 2022-23 season.
He oversaw a bright start to the campaign for a Seagulls team which included a 2-1 win at Old Trafford and his fine achievements led to Chelsea calling for the former Swansea manager’s services.
However, Potter did not get a tune out of the team at Stamford Bridge and a big January spend did not have the desired effect.
He was sacked and is now looking out for fresh opportunities, like being the next West Ham manager with David Moyes under serious pressure in East London.
Wolves could potentially approach someone who could still perform very well given the right materials in the Premier League and Potter is 11/2 to take up the challenge.
Conceicao, Martins and Van Nistelrooy Other Wolves Options
Sergio Conceicao (4/1), Pedro Martins (6/1) and Ruben Amorim (13/2) have previously been linked with Premier League managerial vacancies and they could be of interest to Wolves given their links to Portuguese football.
Meanwhile, Ruud Van Nistelrooy - who is an 8/1 punt to be the next Wolves manager - scored lots of goals for Manchester United and could be open to a coaching role in England.
Xabi Alonso is another former Premier League icon who could be in the mix at 10/1, but he has recently signed a contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen.
Paulo Fonseca (12/1) has been linked to the Everton manager’s job in the past, so a move to British shores could interest him.
Thomas Frank (20/1) is performing well at Brentford. However, it’s open to question whether the Dane would swap his current position with the Wolves one.
Finally, Mick McCarthy is a former Wolves manager, but at 33/1 it’s highly unlikely that he would return to the club and even though Sam Allardyce briefly took charge of Leeds last term, he can probably be ruled out too at odds of 50/1.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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