Wolves boss Gary O’Neil says he hasn’t made transfer demands of the club’s owners as he looks forward to his new job. The 40-year-old former Bournemouth manager was appointed on Wednesday following Julen Lopetegui’s departure because of a difference of opinion about transfer policy. Wolves have raised around £90m from player sales this summer while only recruiting back up keeper Tom King and right back Matt Doherty, both on free transfers. But captain Ruben Neves is arguably the only key first team player to have left and Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has made the argument that the club used a chunk of the summer budget in January when they spent around £75m on players. O’Neil was asked at his first press conference whether he has been given assurances that he won’t lose any players that he wants to keep.
Gary O’Neil said: “I don’t need any assurances, I haven’t asked for any. I understand the position of the football club, I will understand more when I have some conversations with people. But I understand exactly where it is at. There is a game coming on Monday night that needs 100 per cent of my focus so I won’t be taking any of that away to look at anything else that might be going on or not. It will be Manchester United up until Monday and then after Monday it will be Brighton.”
Asked if the club still needs players to leave before they can sign any more,
Gary O’Neil said: “I haven’t met the chairman yet, I am sure things will be clearer once we have had a chat. When I signed up for the job two days ago I understood the group is where it is at this moment and this is what we are working with. So, as far as outgoings and incomings… I haven’t got too many answers for you at this time. I am just going to work with the players that are here, work extremely hard and get as much out of them as possible.”
If players can be recruited, a priority could be central defence. Wolves have only three senior players in that position – Max Kilman, Craig Dawson and Toti, backed up by youngster Alfie Pond. Asked whether he would ideally like to add another central defender to the squad before the end of August,
Gary O’Neil said: “It is a difficult question to answer two days in. The three boys, plus ‘Pondy’, have trained really well. I am really pleased with the group. I think there is enough quality in there to be really competitive. Things will move and change I am sure but as it is, I am fine with where we are.”
The manager made clear he feels there is plenty of talent in the current group of players. Asked if he would feel the squad is okay if signings aren’t forthcoming,
Gary O’Neil said: “I signed up for the job two days ago with this group, so yes. It is a fantastic group, real good quality in it. From what I have seen so far, committed and together. I like the group, I really think we have a chance of doing something this year.”
