Former West Ham and QPR midfielder Gary O’Neil has emerged as one of the leading candidates to become the next Middlesbrough manager.
Middlesbrough are preparing for a managerial change following the expected departure of Rob Edwards, who has reportedly agreed to take over at Wolves after the Premier League club dismissed Vitor Pereira earlier this month.
The Championship side reluctantly allowed Edwards to enter discussions with the Midlands outfit, and his appointment at Molineux now appears imminent.
With Edwards’ exit on the horizon, attention at the Riverside Stadium has turned toward identifying his successor. Sitting second in the Championship table after 15 games and pushing for promotion, Middlesbrough’s vacancy represents an appealing opportunity for ambitious coaches.
Among those linked to the role is Gary O’Neil, a familiar face at Boro. The 42-year-old enjoyed a four-year spell with the club as a player, making 120 appearances. During his career, he also featured prominently for West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers, helping both teams achieve promotion to the Premier League — with the Hammers in 2012 and QPR in 2014.
After retiring from playing, O’Neil transitioned into management, leading AFC Bournemouth and later Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has been out of work since leaving Wolves in December 2024 but has been deliberate in considering his next move. Speaking to Sky Sports about his recent discussions with Wolves regarding a potential return, O’Neil explained his decision to wait for the right fit.
“I spoke to the club and have a lot of affection for it — the fans, the people, everything about my time there,” O’Neil said. “It just didn’t feel like the right time or opportunity for me right now. I’ve been patient since stepping away, and I want the next job to feel right. There are a lot of factors that go into that decision.”
O’Neil also admitted that returning to Wolves might have felt unusual, though not necessarily a deterrent. “It’s not something that happens often in football,” he noted. “Harry Redknapp did it with Portsmouth and Southampton, but it’s rare. Still, going back wasn’t the issue — I just want to make sure my next move is the right one.”
Earlier this season, The Standard identified O’Neil as a possible replacement for Graham Potter at West Ham, citing his proven ability to handle difficult situations such as Bournemouth’s successful fight against relegation. However, the Hammers ultimately appointed Nuno Espírito Santo instead.
Now, O’Neil could be set for a return to familiar surroundings, with Middlesbrough reportedly viewing him as an ideal candidate to guide their promotion push and maintain their strong early-season momentum in the Championship.
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