MX23RW : Sunday, October 29 09:12:59| >> :120:40868:40868:
[monks data]
Bournemouth logo
Premier League | Gameweek 9
Oct 21, 2023 at 3pm UK
Vitality Stadium
Wolves logo
Bournemouth
1 - 2
Wolves
Solanke (17')
Zabarnyi (34'), Scott (45+2')
Cook (54')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Cunha (47'), Kalajdzic (88')
Cunha (42'), Kilman (45+3'), Hee-chan (54'), Traore (83'), Neto (89'), Sarabia (90+1')

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil dismisses significance of return to Bournemouth

O'Neil dismisses significance of return to Bournemouth
© Reuters
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil dismisses the significance of his return to Bournemouth for Saturday's Premier League fixture.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil has insisted that Saturday's Premier League fixture at Bournemouth is 'zero about him'.

Soon after the start of last season, O'Neil was promoted from the backroom staff to take charge of the Cherries, initially on a caretaker basis.

However, such was the Englishman's impact in the Vitality Stadium dugout that he was handed the reins on a permanent basis, subsequently keeping Bournemouth in the top flight.

Despite delivering what was perceived to be a successful 2022-23, O'Neil was soon removed from his position, with the Bournemouth hierarchy choosing to appoint Andoni Iraola as his replacement.

At a time when the former Rayo Vallecano boss is still awaiting his first league victory as Bournemouth boss, O'Neil has since been chosen as Julen Lopetegui's successor at Molineux.

Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil before the match on May 13, 2023© Reuters

While the 40-year-old cannot claim to have enjoyed an overly positive start at Wolves, collecting four points from games with Manchester City and Aston Villa before the international break has moved Wolves away from the relegation zone for the time being.

Ahead of Saturday's encounter on the South Coast, the return of O'Neil is naturally generating attention, but the man himself has admitted that he only wants to focus on earning more points to help Wolves' cause in the Premier League.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, as quoted by The Athletic, O'Neil said: "It's 0% about me and there's zero consideration for what it means to me.

"It's a game we want to take three points from and one we can compete against. There's nothing extra for me, the players are ready as they always have been for a tough Premier League game.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil on September 26, 2023© Reuters

"My feelings around the situation, one which was about four months ago is that's football. It's what happens. I'm in a great place in a great football club.

"I don't think it's ever my job to decide whether I've earned the right or not. People above make those decisions and it was deemed I hadn't, I'm comfortable with that. The Bournemouth phase is done and we move on."

In his time at Bournemouth, O'Neil accumulated 36 points from his 34 league games, the 15th best return in the division during that particular period.

Even with victory on Saturday, Bournemouth would still sit two points adrift of 14th-placed Wolves in the standings.

ID:526944:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5129:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Gary O'Neil

Click here for more stories about Wolverhampton Wanderers

Game History

How you voted: Bournemouth vs Wolves

Bournemouth
33.3%
Draw
20.0%
Wolverhampton Wanderers
46.7%
90
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on August 29, 2023
Read Next:
Bournemouth 'relaxed about Iraola future despite winless start'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
Today's games header
5pm
Saints
@
Colts
5pm
Rams
@
Cowboys
5pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
5pm
Jets
@
Giants
5pm
Vikings
@
Packers
5pm
Texans
@
Panthers
5pm
Jags
@
Steelers
5pm
Falcons
@
Titans
5pm
Eagles
@
Washington
8.05pm
Browns
@
Seahawks
8.25pm
Bengals
@
49ers
8.25pm
Chiefs
@
Broncos
8.25pm
Ravens
@
Cardinals
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs108202291326
2Arsenal107302381524
3Manchester CityMan City97021971221
4Liverpool96212091120
5Aston Villa961223131019
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1052326111517
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton95132218416
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd95041113-215
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham94231616014
10Brentford103431612413
11Chelsea103341311212
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves103341317-412
13Crystal Palace10334813-512
14Fulham9324815-711
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest92431012-210
16Everton9216914-57
17Bournemouth10136821-136
18Luton TownLuton9126817-95
19Burnley10118825-174
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd10019729-221

MLS Apple TV+ Messi promo
New Apple Music general promo - 300x250

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!