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Wolves hand Gary O’Neil and backroom staff new four-year deals after impressive Molineux start

Gary O'Neil's new deal will keep the manager at Wolves until at least 2028
Gary O'Neil's new deal will keep the manager at Wolves until at least 2028 - Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Gary O’Neil and his backroom team have committed their future to Wolves by signing new four-year deals with the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The news follows a successful first campaign at the Molineux helm for O’Neil who, despite arriving on the eve of last season, guided Wolves to a comfortable mid-table finish and the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup. Along the way, O’Neil attracted plaudits for a series of impressive wins, including those over champions Manchester City at Molineux, away at both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and a first at West Bromwich Albion in 28 years.

As well as O’Neil, assistant head coach Tim Jenkins, first-team coaches Shaun Derry and Ian Burchnall, head of goalkeeping Neil Cutler and first-team coach analyst Woody Dewar have all signed new deals with the club. It is that team responsible for guiding Wolves to 17 wins in all competitions across 2023-24 and 50 Premier League goals – one short of the club record and the highest tally in five years.

Chairman Jeff Shi said: “I think the club has a positive future, building a new cycle for growth, better results on the pitch and ambitions to realise. To prepare for that, we need a very good team and I think Gary is a key member of the team, maybe even the most important member, so we are very happy to have him here for the long term.

‘The humblest manager I have ever worked with’

“The team together – me, Gary, Matt Hobbs and all the staff – we are working very closely to prepare for the new season. Gary is key and we are happy to have a very young, talented, capable and outstanding manager here.

“He works very hard and is very humble. He might be the humblest manager I have ever worked with and one of the most hard-working coaches I’ve ever met. His strengths are around his tactics and his chemistry with the players.”

Gary O'Neil and Matheus Cunha during Wolves pre-season training
Gary O'Neil and Matheus Cunha during Wolves pre-season training - Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

O’Neil and his coaching staff, who will remain at Wolves until 2028, recently returned from successful pre-season trips to Marbella and the United States, where they continued to build on the strong bonds built with supporters.

“When you have a strong connection with the club, the staff and players, it’s easier for you to have a connection with the fans,” added Shi. “The whole city, we’re one unit, and I think the whole city breathes life together with the club. If the club is like a team, then the whole city will be like a team too.

“I’m always very excited about the future and we want to do more. We want to make fans happy about us. Even after eight years, we feel it’s just the start for a long and successful period for the club. We are at the starting point at the moment and I’m very happy about this.”