'The nature of our jobs...' - Wolves chiefs respond to calls for Gary O'Neil's sacking
Wolverhampton Wanderers chairman Jeff Shi and sporting director Matt Hobbs have opened up about the plans for manager Gary O'Neil's future.
The Old Gold are set to stick with O’Neil for the foreseeable future as the club’s higher-ups have been in awe of the head coach’s determination and modesty.
Wolves have endured their worst start to a Premier League season since 2003/04 - when they were relegated to the Championship - but faith in O’Neil remains. Although it’s ultimately a results business and one point out of 15 is unacceptable, there have been positives in most matches played and the fixture list has been mightily tricky.
Wanderers’ opponents so far - Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Aston Villa - currently occupy the positions between third and eighth. Two of the next three games aren’t any easier, either, as Wolves face second-placed Liverpool at Molineux before taking on Manchester City after the international break.
The mood has certainly dropped amongst supporters over the last couple of months and understandably so, but those in the boardroom remain optimistic about the future. Shi and Hobbs, who sat down with The Telegraph for an in-depth interview, are confident O’Neil can turn things around at Wolves.
“Like all of us, Gary is obviously disappointed with the results and expects more,” Hobbs said.
“Sometimes as a head coach you can look at other clubs, like down the road at Villa and what they’ve spent, but he understands what we’re trying to do.
“He is so aligned to Jeff and I, and what our plan is. I’ve been really impressed with his work ethic and his humility. The whole football club has to find ways of supporting Gary and his staff, to find that extra 15 per cent they’re looking for.
“There’s been individual mistakes and some stuff we would change, but we’ve played all the big teams and not been tactically outplayed.”
In agreement, Shi added: “The nature of our jobs is to find a way to improve and do better in the next game. We are moving forward with the plan and everyone knows their roles. It’s not a time to be over-optimistic or negative. It’s a normal time, like in any season, and from our point of view this is all going to plan and we must not deviate.”
There won’t be any chances in the dugout anytime soon, then, so it’s time to strap in and see if O’Neil can indeed turn the tide.