Gary O’Neil, Rob Edwards, Michael Carrick prominent among Wolves head coach candidates – The Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers are considering a shock return for former head coach Gary O’Neil, with Rob Edwards another prominent candidate and Michael Carrick also in the frame to replace Vitor Pereira.
O’Neil, who was sacked by Wolves less than a year ago, is among multiple options being discussed internally after Pereira was dismissed on Sunday.
Edwards has a strong connection to Molineux from his time there as a player and youth coach but his current role in charge of Middlesbrough means any move would require compensation.
Former Middlesbrough boss Carrick is highly regarded too, and — like O’Neil — is out of work at present.
The three are unlikely to be the only candidates as the club look to make an appointment sooner rather than later — but not necessarily before Wolves’ next fixture against Chelsea on Saturday.
Pereira was sacked on Sunday following the 3-0 defeat to Fulham, which extended Wolves’ winless start to 10 matches in the Premier League. The 57-year-old’s dismissal came just 45 days after he signed a new contract at Molineux through to 2028.
O’Neil, 42, has been out of management since being replaced by Pereira at Wolves in December 2024. He led the club to 14th in the Premier League during his first season in charge, having been appointed just days before the beginning of the season after Julen Lopetegui’s departure.
However, he was dismissed after taking just six points from 19 matches the following campaign. The Wolves job was O’Neil’s second senior role, after steering Bournemouth clear of relegation and to 16th in the Premier League during his single season in charge (2022-23).
Carrick, 44, was sacked by Middlesbrough in the summer. The former Manchester United midfielder joined the club in October 2022, marking his first senior head coach role.
He took Middlesbrough from the Championship relegation zone to the playoffs during his debut season in charge, but was dismissed after missing out on a place in the top six for a second successive season last term.
Edwards, 42, succeeded Carrick at Middlesbrough in June and has led the club to second in the Championship. His Middlesbrough contract runs until 2028.
Edwards guided Luton Town to promotion to the Premier League in 2023 but departed in January with the club narrowly above the Championship relegation zone. Luton were relegated to League One at the end of the season.
The former defender made over 100 appearances for Wolves between 2004 and 2008 and spent time working in the youth set-up before an interim spell in charge in 2016.
Wolves are without a win in the top-flight since the victory over Leicester City on April 26 and are eight points from safety. The club said on Sunday under-21 head coach James Collins and under-18 head coach Richard Walker will lead training while they “finalise the appointment” of Pereira’s replacement.
