A key Wolverhampton Wanderers player has jumped to the defence of head coach Gary O’Neil who is under pressure to keep his job at Molineux.
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina has publicly backed Gary O’Neil, stating that the head coach is not responsible for the club’s poor form.
The West Midlands outfit are one of four teams who are yet to record a victory in this season’s Premier League, the others being Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Southampton.
However, there has been a particular focus on Wolves courtesy of O’Neil’s side conceding 21 goals during their seven league fixtures in 2024-25.
That run needs to be put into context with matches having already been played against Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brentford.
Each of those teams sit in the top 11 of the Premier League standings, yet O’Neil acknowledged that the 5-3 defeat at Brentford on Saturday afternoon was his ‘worst as a head coach’.
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Lemina defends O’Neil
During the eight-goal contest in London at the weekend, the travelling Wolves support voiced their displeasure at the situation with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing’ aimed at O’Neil.
Despite that outpouring of frustration, Lemina has jumped to the defence of his boss, praising the Englishman for what he has brought to the club rather than criticise his tactics or choices in the transfer market as has been the case in the stands.
As quoted by BBC Sport, the club captain said: “The way we are playing, the way we are defending right now is going to get us in relegation and we have to be honest about that right now.”
“Gary is not the problem. He is doing really well. If you say Gary O’Neil is the problem then you are liars and cheaters, because he has given us a lot. A lot of things we didn’t have before.
“He has given a chance to a lot of players and now we have to give it back to him, because at the moment we are not giving it back.
“I think the fans really love him as well. Now it is a point of view because of the results, which is understandable.”
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Will Wolves back O’Neil?
Owners Fosun International have come under constant criticism for their decision-making in recent months, whether that be with regards to ticket prices or their approach to the transfer market.
As per a report in The Telegraph, there are no plans to sack the 41-year-old during the international break.
When Wolves return to action after that period, they will play host to the undefeated defending Premier League champions Manchester City on October 20.