Image source: bbc.com
Gary O’Neil has agreed to become Strasbourg’s new manager following Liam Rosenior’s departure to join sister club Chelsea. The 42-year-old former Wolves boss returns to management after more than a year out of the game, with his appointment overseen by president Marc Keller and new sporting director David Weir.
Gary O’Neil Returns to Management as Strasbourg Appoint Former Wolves Boss
O’Neil has been without a club since his dismissal by Wolves in December 2024, ending his tenure at Molineux after guiding the club through a challenging period in the Premier League. His appointment at Strasbourg comes ahead of the French club’s Coupe de France tie against third-tier Avranches on Saturday, giving the English manager an immediate competitive fixture to assess his new squad.
The former midfielder previously managed Bournemouth during the 2022-23 season, successfully helping the south coast club avoid relegation from the Premier League. However, despite achieving the primary objective of maintaining top-flight status, O’Neil was subsequently sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola, leaving him available for his next managerial opportunity.
O’Neil’s arrival follows significant upheaval at Strasbourg, with supporters expressing frustration over the departure of Rosenior to Chelsea. The Strasbourg Supporters’ Federation released a statement describing Rosenior’s transfer as “another humiliating step in Racing’s subservience to Chelsea” and warned that “the future of French club football is at stake” due to multi-club ownership structures.
Strasbourg president Marc Keller has defended the BlueCo ownership group’s impact on the club, highlighting their investment of more than £100 million in the summer transfer window. Keller pointed to additional investment in the stadium, women’s team and academy as evidence of the owners’ positive influence, arguing that multi-club ownership has become a common reality in modern football.
The appointment was overseen by Keller working alongside new sporting director David Weir, who joined the French club after leaving Brighton during the summer. O’Neil will now look to implement his tactical approach at Strasbourg as they continue their campaign in Ligue 1 and the domestic cup competitions.
