West Ham-linked manager forced to drop down to championship

IN THE running to replace Graham Potter – before Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed in September – was a select band of managerial candidates who caused varying degrees of alarm amongst West Ham fans. Jose Mourinho, of course, was more than likely just a made-up rumour and never going to get the job

At the time there  were very real rumours suggesting a return for former Hammer Slaven Bilic. 

Sean Dyche, remember, was under consideration too, by all accounts: He has since taken Nuno’s role at Nottingham Forest, after Ange Postecoglou’s oh-so-brief whistle-stop stay in charge.

Back in September at the same time as West Ham were considering Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and Bilic, another former West Ham player –  Gary O’Neil –  was also shortlisted as a strong candidate to replace Graham Potter.

Fortunately (depending on your opinion of what Nuno’s achieved so far) the board decided on Espírito Santo and – so far, so good.

O’Neil, it turns out, after managing  for two stints in the Premier League with Bournemouth and then Wolverhampton Wanderers, is finding it tough getting a new Premier League gig.

He’d considered going back to Wolves but apparently ‘the time was not right‘ – whatever that means. Possibly O’Neil was still bruised after being on the receiving end of the boot after losing the ‘el sackio‘ ‘loser gets fired‘ game between Lopetegui’s West Ham and O’Neil’s Wolves side last winter. (Main image).

Now former Hammer O’Neil is being reported as being a ‘leading candidate’  for  Championship side Middlesboro’s vacancy  – after ‘Boro manager Edwards was appointed to O’Neil’s old club.. Wolves.

The peculiar, almost incestuous manager merry-go-round looks as if it is about to revolve again. So far twelve managers have been fired in England top two divisions – and it is only November.

After four years as a player with ‘Boro, O’ Neill would likely be welcomed back at the Riverside with open arms. The Northern England side sit second in the Championship, just five points off the leaders Coventry city.