Gary O’Neill has withdrawn from the process to become Wolves’ new head coach following negotiations with his former club.
Sky Sports News understands that O’Neill had had positive discussions with Wolves but felt the job was not for him at the moment.
O’Neill is one of a number of options being explored by Wolves as they continue their search to replace Vitor Pereira, who was sacked on Sunday.
Mr O’Neill is believed to be interested in returning to management when the right opportunity arises.
The 42-year-old was in charge of Wolves for just over 14 months before being sacked in December 2024, with Pereira appointed as his successor.
O’Neill led the Molineux team to 14th place in the Premier League and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in his first year in charge, but left after a poor start in his second season.
Rob Edwards is another candidate the club is considering. The former Wolves defender helped Middlesbrough to Championship runners-up this season and will lead Luton to the Premier League in 2023.
Wolves parted ways with Pereira after starting the Premier League season without a win in 10 games. They lost 3-0 to Fulham on Saturday.
The defeat follows Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, leaving the Midlands club with just two points from their first 10 Premier League games, with eight points hanging in the balance. No club has ever survived with less than two points at this stage of a Premier League season.
Pereira’s sacking came just 45 days after he signed a new three-year contract with Wolves, who were at the bottom of the league after losing their first four games.
Wolves are the only unbeaten team in England’s top four divisions.
Edwards: My full focus remains on Middlesbrough
Rob Edwards leads Middlesbrough into Premier League promotion contention
Edwards, who was appointed Boro manager in June following the sacking of manager Michael Carrick, was asked about the link to the Wolves job, but he refused to answer based on “speculation” and said he had heard about the link from his daughter.
“You know my connection to the club (Wolves),” Edwards said. “But my whole focus is on this job here, which is a great job, and we’re trying to turn things around from the weekend with a really big game against Leicester.
“It’s difficult to comment on speculation, but we’ve done a decent job so far.
“It’s all speculation anyway. I’m never attracted to anything that’s all hypothetical, and I don’t want to be attracted to it.
“I love being manager of Middlesbrough and I like to think about it.
“All I can say is that I don’t think about it because I’m just focused on it. It’s all what my daughter told me.”
