29 Facts About Gary O'Neil

Gary Paul O'Neil was born on 18 May 1983 and is an English football manager and former player who was most recently head coach of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Gary O'Neil played in the Football League First Division or EFL Championship for all four of those clubs plus Walsall, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers.

Gary O'Neil was appointed head coach by Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023 and sacked from the position in December 2024.

Gary O'Neil was born in Beckenham, London and grew up in Downham.

When Harry Redknapp took over as manager at the end of the season, Gary O'Neil was one of the few players not to be moved on in the rebuilding of the squad.

In Redknapp's first full season Gary O'Neil only started 11 league matches, scoring three goals, as Portsmouth won the First Division title and promotion to the Premier League.

In Redknapp's first match back in charge at Tottenham Hotspur, Gary O'Neil retained his place in the team and was picked on the right of midfield.

Gary O'Neil was moved into his preferred position of central midfield a few games later and Pompey went on their best run of the season with Gary O'Neil scoring in successive home games.

Reports surfacing in May 2008 suggested that Gary O'Neil might look to move on from Middlesbrough after he and his family had failed to settle on Teesside.

Gary O'Neil managed 119 appearances and scored seven goals in total for Boro.

Gary O'Neil made his debut in the League Cup semi-final, second leg, against Birmingham City, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Luis Boa Morte.

Gary O'Neil was carried off on a stretcher after the challenge.

Gary O'Neil underwent a two-hour ankle operation and endured several months out of action with concern that his footballing career was in jeopardy.

Gary O'Neil was reported as considering taking legal action against Reo-Coker.

However, David Gold announced on his Twitter account that Gary O'Neil had declined a new contract offer, and consequently became a free agent.

On 7 August 2013, Gary O'Neil signed for Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a one-year deal, re-uniting with former manager Harry Redknapp.

Gary O'Neil was sent off in the 60th minute in the game at Wembley for a professional foul on Johnny Russell.

On 5 August 2014, Gary O'Neil signed for Championship side Norwich City, on a two-year deal.

On 9 June 2016, Gary O'Neil signed for Championship side Bristol City on a two-year contract starting on 1 July 2016.

Gary O'Neil earned caps for England at every youth level, and captained England at the 2003 FIFA under-20 World Youth Championship.

Gary O'Neil made nine appearances for the England under-21 team.

On 30 August 2022, Gary O'Neil was placed in caretaker charge by Bournemouth following Parker's dismissal.

Gary O'Neil remained in caretaker charge until the season paused for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding another Premier League victory, against Everton on 12 November, during that stretch.

However, in April 2023, Gary O'Neil's side secured their place in the top flight by winning five matches out of seven, including victories over relegation contenders Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United.

On 9 August 2023, Gary O'Neil was appointed head coach of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-year deal, replacing Julen Lopetegui who had left due to disputes with the board.

Gary O'Neil became the club's first English-born manager since Kenny Jackett left in 2016.

Jon Moss, the referees' manager, apologised to Gary O'Neil and said it was the wrong call.

Gary O'Neil struggled with discipline in his final two games, with both ending in brawls; Mario Lemina lost the captaincy for a confrontation with West Ham's Jarrod Bowen, while Rayan Ait-Nouri was sent off after the Ipswich game, which saw Matheus Cunha appear to fight with staff from the opposing club.

Gary O'Neil said he "never had such a struggle" to coach players.