Wolves and Gary O’Neil are in limbo.
The axe has been expected to fall on the under-pressure manager following three successive defeats but, so far, the club has not made it official.
When, if that is indeed the plan, will the club decide to make a change?
Ipswich come to Molineux on Saturday level on points with second-bottom Wolves in a game the hosts and O’Neil cannot afford to lose, even if the 41-year-old remains in charge at the weekend.
O’Neil is a decent, honest person and has done a fine job at Wolves – even if those who look at the league table may doubt it – and he does not deserve a slow death.
Monday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham pushed him closer to the brink, especially after the 4-0 defeat at Everton and a 4-2 loss to Bournemouth last week.
There is a belief from the players they can pull themselves out of trouble and O’Neil still has support from the dressing room – but that may now not be enough.
One of the biggest issues for the club is who could replace him. With Graham Potter reportedly unconvinced by the role and Steve Cooper wanting a break following last month’s Leicester exit, options of who could come in immediately are limited.
David Moyes is available, while former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand is also out of work after leaving the national side after Euro 2024.
But any future manager must work within the club’s means and there is a limited ability to spend in January, with Wolves desperately wanting a centre-back next month.
The lack of spending power will be an issue for a potential new appointment given they need to be convinced of Wolves’ ability to stay up.
All of this adds to the growing uncertainty. Decisions need to be made either way to help save Wolves’ Premier League status.
