Manchester United face 'new manager bounce' headache as Wolves name O'neil as new coach

Erik Ten Hag and his Manchester United team will have a new problem to worry about when they take on Wolves in their first game of the season.

Ahead of the new season, Wolves have now announced a managerial change following the appointment of Gary O’Neil as their new manager.

Manchester United and Wolves go head-to-head on Monday as the Premier League gets underway for the 2023/2024 campaign.

With the new Premier League season just days away, Wolves have immediately changed their dugout.

The club has confirmed the appointment of the former Bournemouth boss as their new coach. Wolves made this known through a statement on their official social media page on Wednesday afternoon.

“Gary O'Neil has been appointed as our new head coach,” the club posted on their X.com account

O’Neil, who has put pen to paper on a three-year contract that will keep him at the Molineux until the summer of 2027, replaces Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked 17 hours ago.

Following his appointment, the 40-year-old becomes the club’s youngest manager this millennium.

“We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the club. He’s a highly motivated young coach with strong principles and very well thought of by everyone he has worked with, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together at Wolves,” sporting director Matt Hobbs said of the new coach per the club website. 

O’Neil has been appointed after an impressive stint at fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

The young coach played a crucial role as the Cherries came from a disastrous start to the season under Scott Parker to preserve their status in the elite division with games to spare.

O’Neil has been handed a difficult start to his Wolves career as they begin the season with an away battle against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The game will see the Red Devils face a club with a new manager, with United fans wary of facing clubs with new managers after the thrashing they received from Aston Villa following the arrival of Unai Emery last season.