Premier League

GARY O’NEIL has been sacked as Wolves manager following Saturday’s defeat to Ipswich. The club endured a nightmare run of form to sit 19th in the Premier League table with just two wins this season and four points from safety.Gary O’Neil was sacked as Wolves manager after 16 months in chargeCredit: GettyWolves suffered their fourth defeat in a row on SaturdayCredit: AlamyThere were chaotic scenes after full-time with Matheus Cunha losing his headCredit: GettyBut Jack Taylor’s last-gasp winner for the Tractor Boys and the shocking scenes that followed on the pitch turned out to be the final straw for the manager.Now O’Neil, 41, has been dismissed from his post after 16 months in charge at Molineux.Wolves confirmed the news with a blunt statement on Sunday lunchtime. It said: “Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom staff.READ MORE FOOTBALL”O’Neil arrived at Molineux just three days before the start of the 2023-24 Premier League season, taking on a significant challenge and ultimately guiding the Old Gold to a successful campaign.”During his first season at the helm, Wolves beat Manchester City and won impressively at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as rivals West Bromwich Albion during a journey to the FA Cup quarter-finals.”Chairman Jeff Shi added: “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his effort, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team the best of luck for the future.”Wolves fell behind yesterday with a comical own goal before Matheus Cunha fired in an equaliser.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Taylor was able to head in deep into injury time to earn a crucial win for Ipswich against their relegation rivals in a huge six-pointer at the bottom of the table.Then – just like against Bournemouth and West Ham – Wolves players were involved in ugly meltdowns at the end. Gary O’Neil vows to deal with him internally after Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri’s meltdown following Ipswich defeatCunha punched and elbowed a member of Ipswich’s security team – and even ripped off his glasses – while full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri angrily confronted Wes Burns.Ait-Nouri had to be picked up and carried off the pitch by Craig Dawson then ushered down the tunnel, where the Algerian was sent off for a second yellow card. There were also reports of more bitter rows between Wolves team-mates who lost their heads – just like Jose Sa and Mario Lemina in recent weeks.Sa confronted a fan during the 4-2 defeat to Bournemouth while Lemina was stripped of the captaincy following his furious outburst at his team-mates and coach Shaun Derry at West Ham last Monday – with a shocking 4-0 defeat at Everton sandwiched in between.Boos rang out at Molineux after the Ipswich defeat as the atmosphere around the club grew increasingly toxic – with fans directing much of their anger at the board. But the hierarchy decided the best course of action was to dismiss O’Neil and find a new boss to take charge of the squad in turmoil. Gary O’Neill’s final Wolves post-match press conferenceIN HIS final press conference as Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil said he wasn’t the only one to blame for their problems…O’Neil insisted: “I’m not interested in my own position. I know the work I do every day and I know the situation we are in.”I know getting this group to perform the way they did took a lot of work. “People can point the finger at me but some of the responsibility has to land on the players.”I’m comfortable with myself as a coach, my standards and what I ask of the group. I also embrace this difficult moment.”That group downstairs needs me this week to help get them into a place where they are ready to go. “I will keep fighting for them and with them until I’m told not to.”It doesn’t mean I don’t think I’m going to get sacked. “For every [poor] result which comes the chances of me losing my job heightens. “It doesn’t concern me, the situation drives me to want to do better.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in attendance on Saturday and is the early favourite to replace the former Bournemouth chief.Steve Cooper, sacked last month by Leicester, and David Moyes may also be in contention.However, reports from The Athletic claim Wolves are already working on a deal with Al-Shabab to poach ex-Porto, Fenerbahce, Corinthians and Flamengo boss Vitor Pereira from the Saudi Pro League outfit. O’Neil arrived at Molineux on the eve of the 2023-24 campaign with very little time to work with the squad or bring in his own players. He guided the club to 14th – 20 points clear of relegation – in an impressive opening season and signed a new four-deal year in the summer. But Taylor’s injury-time winner for Ipswich was the 40th goal conceded by his side in a disastrous start to the season.O’Neil did not hold back in his scathing assessment of the performance and attitude of his flops in what proved to be his final set of interviews as Wolves boss.People can point the finger at me but some of the responsibility has to land on the playersGary O’NeilThe ex-Portsmouth and Middlesbrough midfielder fumed: “I’m not interested in my own position. I know the work I do every day and I know the situation we are in.”I know getting this group to perform the way they did took a lot of work. “People can point the finger at me but some of the responsibility has to land on the players.”I’m comfortable with myself as a coach, my standards and what I ask of the group. I also embrace this difficult moment.”That group downstairs needs me this week to help get them into a place where they are ready to go.”I will keep fighting for them and with them until I’m told not to.”It doesn’t mean I don’t think I’m going to get sacked. “For every [poor] result which comes the chances of me losing my job heightens. “It doesn’t concern me, the situation drives me to want to do better.“Obviously Ait-Nouri’s emotion has spilled over and he’s lost control, which he knows is unacceptable. We have enough issues without dealing with people picking up silly suspensions.“The lads need to find a way to keep more control. I know they’re under big pressure and big stress at this moment, but making it more difficult for ourselves is unacceptable at this moment in time.”On the two goals, he added: “We’ve given Ipswich two mental goals. The first goal is unacceptable for Premier League level. “Liam Delap did that a lot when he played under-18s against kids that were 2ft smaller than him, when he looked like he was playing two years up, bashing people out of the way and running through.“Liam Delap won’t score that goal against any other Premier League team.”Then there was unbelievably bad decision making from a corner, from players deciding to switch positions for no reason that cost us at the end.”There were too many mistakes again from us, and we were probably punished for both of the real big mistakes, but they’re mistakes that just can’t happen at this level. READ MORE SUN STORIES“Just the team’s ability to cope at this level has proven unbelievably difficult for us. I’ve worked at this level, this is my third year now, and I’ve never had so much of a struggle to help a group cope with their level in real basic stuff.”Until we can defend our goal from basics, it’s going to be tough to win football matches.”O’Neil ripped into his flops after the Ipswich gameCredit: RexCraig Dawson carried Rayan Ait-Nouri off the pitchCredit: RexOle Gunnar Solskjaer was in attendance at Saturday’s matchCredit: PA More

COST-CUTTING Sir Jim Ratcliffe has “ripped out” the Manchester United that Michael Owen used to know, the former striker claims.Ratcliffe, 72, has made a series of brutal cuts since buying a stake in the Red Devils earlier this year.Michael Owen has been disappointed with recent cuts at Man UtdCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe has made a series of unpopular changesCredit: PAThe Ineos chief axed 250 staff roles, while he recently received a backlash as ticket prices were raised to a minimum of £66 with concessions scrapped.United’s staff Christmas party was also cancelled, with their £100 festive cash bonus slashed to a £40 M&S voucher.Owen, who played for the Red Devils between 2009 and 2012, has been disappointed to see the club shaken up behind the scenes.But the former striker worries that fans won’t care, if they see results on the pitch.READ MORE MAN UTDSpeaking to the MEN, via AceOdds, the 45-year-old said: “When I was at Manchester United, all the kit men, the canteen ladies, the security, the receptionist, the physios, the doctors, it’s the backroom team that you know so much – if you go back now it’s literally all been ripped out.”It’s quite heartbreaking for people that you know who have lost their jobs.”The casual fans don’t care, they just want to see their team lifting a trophy whereas to us players, if I speak to old Liverpool team-mates and say, ‘oh, you’ve been back to Liverpool lately, I went back to the training ground and I know nobody’. It’s just a different club.”The badge is still the same and the bricks and mortar are still the same, but inside it’s just totally different and that’s what matters to us who have lived it and were on the inner sanctum.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOn the strain that such changes can put on people behind the scenes, he added: “It’s quite hard to say when somebody comes in and has a massive shake-up and loads of people lose their jobs.”However, as I say, to the casual fan, they probably think, ‘yeah, get rid of everyone, and let’s start again’.Man Utd team-mates in furious on-pitch argument at final whistle after Red Devils scrape past Viktoria Plzen”It’s easy to flippantly say that, but these are people who probably have children and lives and it’s been their job for a long time and they’ve invested everything into it. It’s quite heartbreaking the actual practicality of it.”Tinged with a little bit of sadness when I heard some of my old friends have lost their jobs, but understand, of course, as well, that Manchester United did need a bit of a shake-up and I can understand why they’ve taken the axe or wielded the axe, to so many roles.”Following his sacking, former boss Erik ten Hag found himself in line for a £15million pay off.United then forked out Ruben Amorim’s £11m release clause to prise him from Sporting.The Red Devils also eagerly recruited Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, only to axe him at a cost of £3m just five months later.Amorim will lead his side to the Etihad this afternoon as they take on Manchester City.READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited go into the contest 13th in the Premier League.On Thursday night they defeated Czech side Viktoria Plzen 2-1, with two goals by super-sub Rasmus Hojlund completing the turnaround.Inside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into jobBy Neil CustisThe blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed in November that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.Defeat Nottingham Forest in December, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.READ MORE ON MAN UTD’S CHAOS  More

PEP GUARDIOLA has long been in a league of his own for setting football firsts — but this was one no one saw coming.The sight of the Manchester City manager, a man hailed as the best in the world, talking lost dressing rooms.Pep Guardiola says he would quit Man City if he felt he had lost the dressing roomCredit: ReutersCity have won just one of their last ten gamesCredit: GettyEven more remarkable, he had raised the subject himself.All of a sudden, even seven defeats in ten games for the four-time champions was knocked into a cocked hat. This was even more jaw-dropping.Guardiola was addressing the worst run of his managerial career, and defiant that it has only given him a greater heart for the battle.There is only one loss that would bring the serial-winning Spaniard to his knees — and it would not be on a pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is the moment Guardiola suspected his words were falling on deaf ears. When the players no longer saw him as a footballing Pied Piper. When the dressing room was no longer his.Yet before City fans start calling the Samaritans, the Messiah has seen no hint of it yet.But he admits that if he ever does, he will be out of the Etihad in the blink of an eye.Guardiola insisted: “There is one thing when I would say, ‘Pep, you have to think about it’. And that’s when I lose the team.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“When I feel they do not run. When everyone says the manager has lost the team and they don’t follow me.“In that moment I will not be here for one more minute. Man City manager Pep Guardiola sings song for Barcelona’s 125th birthdayThe Spaniard appeared to scratch his head several times during Man City’s match against Feyenoord last monthPep Guardiola’s horror Man City runPEP GUARDIOLA admitted he is having sleepless nights as he endures his worst-ever spell as a manager.Here are the three-time defending Premier League champions’ nightmare last 10 games…Oct 30: Tottenham 2 Man City 1 – DEFEATNov 2: Bournemouth 2 Man City 1 – DEFEATNov 5: Sporting Lisbon 4 Man City 1 – DEFEATNov 9: Brighton 2 Man City 1 – DEFEATNov 23 – Man City 0 Tottenham 4 – DEFEATNov 26: Man City 3 Feyenoord 3 – DRAWDec 1: Liverpool 2 Man City 0 – DEFEATDec 4: Man City 3 Nottingham Forest – WINDec 7: Crystal Palace 2 Man City 2 – DRAWDec 11: Juventus 2 Man City 0 – DEFEATTOTAL – WINS 1, DRAWS 2, DEFEATS 7″But at the moment it is there and more than ever I am there — no doubt about that.”Guardiola knows the incredible run of defeats — as many as City suffered in their previous 105 games — is not down to a lack of inspiration from the dugout.It is down to a horrendous casualty list, the long-term loss of key figures — none more than Rodri — and a schedule that would put a pack mule on its back.There is one thing when I would say, ‘Pep, you have to think about it’. And that’s when I lose the team.Pep GuardiolaHe added: “I don’t know what would have happened with all the players there… with Rodri there, with Phil Foden there, with Oscar Bobb there, with the four central defenders there. I don’t know what position we would be in.“I can imagine what it would be but I cannot prove it, right? We’d be a better team, everybody knows, but the reality is the complete opposite.“In the past maybe we would go the whole season and losing seven didn’t happen. But it’s football, it’s life.“Tell me a month ago, when we were top of the league and unbeaten, we were going to lose seven and I’d say, ‘Are you crazy? It’s not going to happen to my team’.“But it’s happened — and maybe we are going to lose more. And the reason why is the schedule.“Rodri played 75 games last season. He won the Euros with Spain, got injured with Spain and came back. Do you feel he was fresh for this year? No.“As strong as he is, he came back tired. But I needed him against Arsenal, even though he was not at the top.“Normally when you have a game, the day after is recovery and the ones who didn’t play the day before train.“But we have seven, eight or nine out. We’re not the best right now because we don’t have the players. We have made a lot of mistakes but we don’t have time. We have to practise, you have to know.“To be a writer, it’s not necessary to read books, you have to practise to write a novel, unless you are William Shakespeare! After that, you don’t need anything.”Yet for all the reasons, all the injuries, Guardiola needs no telling that ultimately the buck stops with him.To be a writer, it’s not necessary to read books, you have to practise to write a novel, unless you are William Shakespeare! After that, you don’t need anything.Pep GuardiolaAnd the bottom line is City have not been good enough.Bragging rights from the Manchester derby would be a start, if little more than a sticking plaster on a gaping wound.He admitted: “We don’t have a defence, my friends. We’ve lost too many games when this happened. All the criticisms and judging, it’s deserved.“You can share opinions and listen to opinions but in the end it’s you that has to make them. It’s on me — that’s why I am well paid.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If I don’t want that, all the comments after the games, I have to get another job — it’s not new.”Fortunately for City, he has no intention of doing so just yet. At least that’s one bright spot, anyway. More

ARSENAL and Everton fans united to pay an emotional tribute to Kevin Campbell. Today’s Premier League 0-0 draw was the first time the two sides have met since the former striker’s sad passing in June.Arsenal led the tributes to Kevin Campbell at Saturday’s gameCredit: GettyCampbell adorned the front of the matchday programmeCredit: GettyHis sister presented Bukayo Saka with his Player of the Month trophy before kick-offCredit: RexCampbell died aged just 54 following multi-organ failure due to a heart infection. Tributes poured in from the sporting world in the summer.And now two of his former sides came together to honour him on Saturday. The Gunners – for whom Campbell won a league title, FA Cup and League Cup – erected a poster outside the Emirates with pictures of the forward in action for Arsenal and Everton.READ MORE ON ARSENALIt was captioned with his chant “he’s one of our own” plus “Kevin Campbell 1970 – 2024” and the Gunners club badge. Campbell also featured on the front of the matchday programme and the giant screens inside the ground. KC’s family were guests in the directors’ box as part of a celebration of his life and Arsenal’s partnership with the Kevin Campbell Foundation. His sister Lorna presented Bukayo Saka with his Player of the Month award before kick-off in North London.Most read in FootballThen as the players walked out of the tunnel, Arsenal supporters unfurled a spectacular tifo showing old red home shirts with ‘Campbell 7’, ‘Reyes 9’ and ‘Rocastle 7’ in tribute to the trio of former players who have passed away.Jose Antonio Reyes played for Arsenal from 2004 to 2007 but died tragically in a car crash aged just 35 in 2019 while David Rocastle died of cancer in 2001 when he was only 33. Inquest into death of football icon Kevin Campbell Like pal Rocastle, Campbell came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and went on to score 59 goals in 213 appearances for the first team between 1988 and 1995.He had stints with Nottingham Forest and Trabzonspor before joining Everton in 1999, initially on an emphatic loan with nine goals in eight games. The striker secured a £3million permanent move and turned out a further 151 times, adding 39 goals, before finishing his career at West Brom then Cardiff. A spectacular tifo honoured three late Arsenal starsCredit: ReutersArsenal fans displayed a banner to former striker CampbellCredit: PAA lovely photo was displayed on the giant screenCredit: GettyCampbell played alongside Wayne Rooney at Goodison ParkCredit: PA More

JHON DURAN handed himself a belated birthday present to fire Villa in front.But it was Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga who provided the icing on the cake with a deadly late double for Forest!Super-sub Anthony Elanga sealed a dramatic comeback for ForestCredit: PAJhon Duran’s looping header gave Villa the leadCredit: ReutersDuran took his opportunity on a rare Premier League startCredit: PAUnai Emery’s men thought they had the three points all wrapped up when Duran bulleted a header from John McGinn’s cross beyond Matz Sels, one day after celebrating his 21st birthday.But it was Forest who were partying at full-time after stunning Villa with a classic comeback to move above Manchester City into fourth place.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side simply refused to accept defeat as they gatecrashed Duran’s celebrations to rock their Midlands rivals.Not even the disappointment of a Chris Wood disallowed goal for offside could halt Nuno’s Forest fighters.Read More Football newsMilenkovic headed them level three minutes from full-time and – as Villa reeled – it was inspirational sub Anthony Elanga who pounced to add a second, three minutes into stoppage time.It was a fabulous finish, just as we were beginning to think Forest and Villa had served up a Saturday night stinker.The first half was a slow burner to say the least.Both of these Euro hopefuls played as if they were playing away from home in Europe in the days when away goals counted double.Most read in FootballBecause they gave the impression they would happily have settled for a goalless draw from a long way out.Villa suffered a blow before a ball had been kicked when Tyrone Mings limped off during the pre-match warm-up and had to be replaced by Pau Torres.But there was little to suggest Forest could cash in on the upheaval during a turgid first 45 minutes.Forest have done well this season despite having less possession han any other side in the Premier League.Exposing the secrets of Arsenal’s CHAOTIC corner routines that can win them the Premier League titleEmi Martinez pulled off a world class save moments before Duran’s openerThe problem was Villa seemed content to hit on the break too.So we sat back and waited for the action to begin …. and we waited …. and waited.Duran and Ryan Yates swapped shots which they blazed over at either end.Then Neco Williams picked out Chris Wood at the back post but the Kiwi striker’s header across the face of goal went begging because none of his teammates had gambled on picking off an easy finish.Nikola Milenkovic levelled it for Forest in the 87th minute with a towering headerCredit: ReutersMartinez spilled the ball into his net minutes after making a wondersaveCredit: GettyMilenkovic and Elanga were the heroes for ForestCredit: PAElliot Anderson crashed a shot off Boubacar Kamara’s knee and Murillo rose to get on the end of an Anderson corner, only to shoulder his effort wide.The only mildly controversial moment came after 34 minutes when Anderson grabbed hold of Morgan Rogers wrist as the forward burst into the Forest box, causing him to tumble.But VAR John Brooks agreed with referee Sam Barrott’s assessment that contact was only fleeting, as the pair of officials decided against risking any form of excitement!Ezri Konsa then glanced a John McGinn free kick wide before we were treated to the first shot on target… in first half stoppage time!Even then Matty Cash’s attempt from the corner of the Forest box was parried out by Sels – but yet again no forward gambled on following the ball in.Only Liverpool and Arsenal had conceded fewer than the 18 Premier League goals Forest had shipped by the time they headed off for their half-time cuppa.Nuno’s men had also shipped just 22 big chances to their opposition – the joint-fewest along with Arsenal.Villa were doing little to trouble those stats although Jhon Duran did his best with a bit of pure theatre 10 minutes into the second half.The big Colombian fluffed his first attempt at taming John McGinn’s corner – then flashed a spectacular scissors kick onto the roof of the net.Forest thought they had grabbed the lead on the hour when Gibbs-White flicked on Anderson’s corner and Nicolas Dominguez headed past Emi Martinez.But somehow the World’s No.1 produced a miraculous save to claw the ball back off the line with his left glove – which Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp later described as like “Gordon Banks vs Pele”.Duran cashed in with the opening goal three minutes later, powering a header beyond Sels from McGinn’s dinked cross to grab his 11th goal of the season.Chris Wood then had an equaliser agonisingly ruled out by VAR as Elanga was judged a fraction offside before cutting the ball back for the striker.But Forest were no to be denied.READ MORE SUN STORIESMilenkovic drew them level when he squeezed a backpost header in off Martinez, one week after opening his account for the season against Manchester United.And incredibly, three minutes into stoppage time Anderson bundled Cash over and cut the ball back for Elanga to ram the ball beyond Martinez from close range to complete an amazing victory.Elanga struck in injury time to send Forest fourthCredit: Getty More