David Prutton urges Norwich City to consider Gary O’Neil for vacant manager role
David Prutton has encouraged Norwich City to seriously look at Gary O’Neil as a candidate for their managerial vacancy at Carrow Road.
The 41-year-old has been out of management since parting ways with Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024, after successfully steering them to Premier League stability.
Before his time at Wolves, O’Neil earned widespread praise for guiding Bournemouth to safety during the 2022/23 season, showcasing his composure and tactical flexibility under pressure.
Following Norwich’s disappointing spell under Johannes Hoff Thorup, the search is already underway for a new boss, and O’Neil’s availability — combined with his proven track record at both Championship and Premier League levels — makes him a name worth serious consideration.
Gary O’Neil highlighted as a strong option for Norwich City
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton discussed O’Neil’s suitability for the role, applauding his achievements so far:
“We’ve talked before about Norwich City and links to managers like Russell Martin,” Prutton said. “But looking at Gary O’Neil, I think the job he did at Bournemouth was outstanding, and his work at Wolves was equally impressive.
We’re often too quick to dismiss managers, yet Gary’s managerial career is still young following an excellent playing career. Norwich should absolutely have him on their radar.
The transition from David Wagner to Johannes Hoff Thorup clearly hasn’t worked. Norwich have plateaued instead of pushing for the top six — and a club with their recent Premier League pedigree should be firmly in that conversation.
Gary is meticulous, knowledgeable, and hungry — exactly the type of young manager Norwich needs.”
O’Neil could be the key to driving Norwich forward
At just 41, O’Neil is still early in his coaching career but already boasts valuable experience, having managed exclusively in the Premier League — a rare feat for someone so new to management.
He also has strong ties to Norwich City, having played for the club between 2014 and 2016, during which he helped them secure promotion to the top flight under Alex Neil. This familiarity gives him a clear understanding of the club’s standards and aspirations.
Importantly, O’Neil has shown he can organize teams effectively, handle high-pressure situations, and instill resilience — qualities Norwich desperately need to get back into the Championship’s top-six conversation.
If O’Neil is open to returning to the Championship, Norwich could land a manager with proven ability, deep club connections, and the drive to succeed at Carrow Road.
