Wolves make decision on Gary O’Neil’s future after West Ham defeat left club four points from safety in Premier League relegation zone

Gary O’Neil is set to be in charge for Wolves home game with Ipswich on Saturday.

Wolves had been actively looking at possible replacements for O’Neil after the club’s poor start to the season, which has left them four points from safety in 19th.

Mail Sport revealed that Wolves held tentative talks with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter as far back as November, though these did not progress.

Potter was not the only candidate Wolves considered, with former boss David Moyes also believed to have been in their thoughts. But – for now at last – O’Neil continues in post and has the immediate support of the Molineux hierarchy.

The club are aiming to invest in January to improve the squad, particularly in defence as Wolves have conceded a league-high 38 goals.

O’Neil’s team have lost their last three games, including a 4-0 defeat at Everton last week that saw the travelling fans turn on the team and manager.

Wolves are four points from safety after amassing only nine points from their first 15 Premier League outings

Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter held talks over becoming manager of the side in November

After Monday night’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham, O’Neil said: ‘However, this season has proved a huge struggle and after the 2-1 defeat at West Ham he said: ‘I am not concerned [about my position].

‘Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it. I am really proud of the group and everything they have given me. I can only ask them to give their best..

‘We won’t give up and we’ll keep pushing.’

After facing Ipswich, Wolves travel to Leicester on December 22. The Foxes have also been struggling though saw a recent improvement under new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Though O’Neil and his staff were handed improved four-year contracts last summer, Wolves’ form had fallen away badly in the second half of last season amid an injury crisis and captain Max Kilman was sold to West Ham during the summer, while Pedro Neto – the club’s best attacking player – moved to Chelsea.

Those sales generated about £100m but Wolves failed to sign the Premier League-quality centre-back O’Neil wanted and Neto’s effective replacement, Rodrigo Gomes, has not been deemed ready to start regularly by O’Neil.