David Prutton, pundit and presenter, has urged Norwich City to consider Gary O’Neil as their next manager.
Norwich are searching for a new boss after parting ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup last week. A disappointing second half of the season saw the Canaries slump to 14th in the Championship, well adrift of the play-off places, costing Thorup his job.
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has been placed in temporary charge for the final two games of the season and remains a candidate for the permanent role. However, the club is still weighing up its options.
Given their ambition to climb back into the Championship’s top ranks and ultimately return to the Premier League, Norwich’s next appointment is crucial.
Speaking to Football League World, Sky Sports’ EFL pundit David Prutton suggested ex-Wolves boss Gary O’Neil should be firmly in Norwich’s thoughts. He said:
“The work Gary did at Bournemouth was outstanding, and he was just as impressive at Wolves.
“We often write managers off too quickly, but O’Neil is still early in his managerial career after a strong playing career. He should definitely be one of the names Norwich consider, especially since the transition from David Wagner to Thorup clearly hasn’t worked.
“Given Norwich’s recent Premier League experience, they should be pushing for the top six. Gary is meticulous, knowledgeable, and a young, hungry manager.”
A Shift in Direction
Thorup was seen as a long-term project coach, focused on nurturing young talent and implementing an expansive playing style. However, this approach failed to deliver results and ultimately led to his dismissal.
Gary O’Neil, by contrast, is known for making his teams organised and defensively strong — qualities Norwich desperately need to bolster their promotion ambitions. If O’Neil is open to dropping back into the Championship, he would be a strong candidate for the Carrow Road vacancy.
Familiar Ground and Shared Goals
O’Neil is no stranger to Norwich City, having played for the club between 2014 and 2016, making 55 appearances. He was part of the team that secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2015.
Returning to Norwich would give O’Neil the chance to lead the club back to the top flight once again — a challenge he is well-equipped to take on. Whether he would accept a return to the second tier, however, remains uncertain.
