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According to ESPN, Manchester United want to talk to O’Neil about taking a role in the new coaching setup, but it isn’t clear whether he would replace Erik ten Hag or work alongside him.
O’Neil was handed his first managerial role by Bournemouth in November 2022, after a successful three-month interim spell. He then fought to keep the Cherries in the Premier League before being subjected to a shock sacking in June 2023.
The 40-year-old was then snapped up shortly afterwards, joining the team at Wolves, and is leading them to surprise success in the top-flight.
He’s enjoyed an impressive season, leading the once relegation-bound side into European contention, having taken over less than a week before their first fixture of the 2023/24 campaign.
INEOS director of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, is leading the attempts to build a new coaching structure and United admire O’Neil’s skill set and are interested in offering him a role in the coaching setup.
What remains unclear is the exact role United are willing to offer him, but it is rumoured it will be under the head coach position.
The English coach is under contract with Wolves until 2026, meaning United would have to pay them a compensation fee to bring him in.
It is also reported that the manager has been made aware of United’s interest, albeit the exact role is still fuzzy to those involved.
You could argue the 40-year-old is still a bit inexperienced as a manager, so taking control at Old Trafford could be viewed as a huge gamble by Ratcliffe and INEOS, but it looks as if it will be one to keep an eye on.
Erik ten Hag is still positive about his job security and has on occasion mentioned he has had extensive talks with the new hierarchy, and he is very confident they trust him completely.
