Gary O’Neil wanted in swift return to management just two months after being sacked by Wolves
GARY O’NEIL is being eyed for a swift managerial return two months after he was sacked by Wolves.
The Premier League side sacked O’Neil in December during the midst of a relegation battle following a horror run of form which had left them in 19th place.
But the managerial market has had a stunning change of circumstances in recent weeks.
Blackburn are hunting for a new boss with the club on the brink of losing John Eustace.
Rovers released a damning statement about the situation, which had seen Eustace trigger a shock release clause in his contract in order to talk to Championship rival Derby.
And the managerial merry-go-round could see former Bournemouth boss O’Neil handed the reins at promotion-chasing Blackburn.
O’Neil, 41, is the only British manager on the club’s list, according to SunSport’s Alan Nixon.
Other names being considered are former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka, ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal and former Young Boys gaffer Raphael Wicky.
O’Neil’s final press conference at Wolves saw him launch a huge defence of his actions, insisting the players shared the blame for the club’s poor performance.
He said: “I’m not interested in my own position. I know the work I do every day and I know the situation we are in.
“I know getting this group to perform the way they did took a lot of work. People can point the finger at me but some of the responsibility has to land on the players.
“I’m comfortable with myself as a coach, my standards and what I ask of the group. I also embrace this difficult moment.
“That group downstairs needs me this week to help get them into a place where they are ready to go. I will keep fighting for them and with them until I’m told not to.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t think I’m going to get sacked. For every [poor] result which comes the chances of me losing my job heightens. It doesn’t concern me, the situation drives me to want to do better.”