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7 hours ago
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Gary O'Neil has pulled out of the running to become Wolves manager after coming close to a shock return to the club.
The 42-year-old had been a contender for a surprise comeback to replace Vitor Pereira, 11 months after being sacked.
Sources have told BBC Sport a large part of the deal had been agreed but O'Neil has now withdrawn from the process.
Wolves remained engaged with other candidates while talking to O'Neil and will now continue those discussions.
Under the terms of his 12-month severance package from when he was sacked last December, O'Neil is still being paid by the club.
BBC Sport reported on Sunday that O'Neil - together with Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards - was among the contenders to replace Pereira at Molineux.
Pereira - who replaced O'Neil last December - was sacked on Sunday after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Fulham left them eight points from the safety line and bottom of the Premier League.
Wolves have just two points from 10 games - a total no side in the Premier League has survived with.
Edwards' position at Middlesbrough, given his current employment, would provide some obstacles, with Boro believed to be entitled to a significant compensation fee.
Edwards is a former Wolves Under-23 coach and was also first-team coach, having had a two-game interim spell in charge in 2016, and distanced himself from the role.
"I was told by my daughter yesterday [Sunday], so that probably tells you where I stand on it," he said.
"You know my links to the club but my full focus is on this job here, which is a brilliant job, and trying to turn things around from the weekend in a really big game against Leicester.
"Speculation stuff is hard for me to comment about, anything else other than Middlesbrough, which is where my focus is, that we've done a decent job so far."
Wolves have a history of appointing managers with close links to high-profile agent Jorge Mendes, in Nuno Espirito Santo, Bruno Lage and Pereira.
It is understood that in addition to O'Neil, Wolves were speaking to at least one manager from Mendes' stable.
O'Neil was sacked by Wolves in December 2024 following a disappointing start to the 2024-25 campaign, failing to win in their opening 10 games.
