Leicester would be getting a ‘forward-thinking’ manager in Gary O’Neil, but ‘rash decisions’ may cost him, says expert

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Leicester City look close to appointing Gary O’Neil as their new manager.

O’Neil has become the front runner for the job after the former Wolves manager and Chris Wilder were interviewed by Leicester.

Danny Rohl and Sean Dyche are out of the running completely, leaving the door wide open for the former Wolves and Bournemouth boss to be handed the reins at the King Power Stadium.

With a points deduction looming over Leicester, it’s going to feel like backs against the wall for O’Neil, despite the fact that the Foxes are still one of the favourites for Championship promotion in the 2025/26 season.

But what can supporters expect? EFL Analysis spoke to Molineux News’ Rosie Tudball to get a full breakdown of O’Neil’s style.

• READ MORE: Three signings Gary O’Neil could make as Leicester City manager as he becomes ‘front runner’ for the job

What sort of style should Leicester City expect under Gary O’Neil?

“O’Neil’s dedication to getting what he could out of a difficult situation at Wolves was admirable.

“He’s certainly a forward-thinking coach and one who has an attractive style of play, but what lets him down is his stubbornness when things aren’t going well.

“He makes rash decisions, as seen at the start of last season at Wolves, chopping and changing formation for no reason, and the same with being undecided on who his first-choice ‘keeper should be. I think he unintentionally caused a feeling of unease in the squad.”

Which Leicester players will O’Neil be excited to work with?

“I’d say any player willing to lap up his knowledge will become better. Wolves will forever be in debt to O’Neil for the time he spent to get individuals up to speed.

“He completely transformed Matheus Cunha, the numbers speak for themselves, he did the same with Pedro Neto and also nurtured Joao Gomes to become the player he is today.

“The same can be said about Rayan Ait-Nouri, O’Neil gives players the room to play how they wish, he won’t sacrifice identity and flair for tactical preferences, which is a huge plus and is why Cunha was able to take off.

“Attacking players in particular should be excited by the prospect of working with O’Neil; players like Patson Daka, whose potential is there but confidence isn’t, spring to mind.

“Bilal El Khannouss could truly explode if O’Neil were given the chance to work with him.”

Which players could be counting their days under O’Neil?

“It’s very difficult to say as at Wolves, O’Neil wasn’t afraid to chop and change things. He had his favoured XI but he’d experiment a lot. Look at Craig Dawson, for example, no one would’ve ever imagined that he’d be given the role he was in 23/24 under O’Neil. It’s hard to predict who could take off and who could be in immediate danger.”

Was Gary O’Neil a fan of using the academy when Wolves manager?

“Not particularly, no. O’Neil was forced to give the likes of Nathan Fraser and Leon Chiwome a chance at the end of 23/24 because depth was low.

“That being said, O’Neil really didn’t have another option, and when younger players have come in, Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima, for example, the coach hasn’t shied away from publicly stating that they weren’t ready, when really, they were – as Vitor Pereira showed.”

Leicester fans need a manager who is willing to engage with them and show some passion. Can O’Neil offer that?

“Yes and no. O’Neil’s first season, for the most part, was fantastic for fans. He carried Wolves to the FA Cup quarter-finals, he had some even dreaming of a European finish, Molineux felt like one again.

“This brings in the stubbornness claim I made, when things got ugly, they got really ugly, and I don’t think O’Neil’s efforts in the public eye made Wolves fans too happy, given how desperately poor the football was at the time.”