Sheffield United’s Gary O’Neil stance after former Bournemouth, Wolves man linked as Chris Wilder successor
Gary O’Neil, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth manager, is not an option to succeed Chris Wilder as manager of Sheffield United, The Star understands. Wilder’s departure is expected to be confirmed this week after a decision was taken by the club’s American owners.
Wilder has paid the price for United’s play-off heartbreak at Wembley last month against Sunderland, with the owners looking for a fall-guy and settling on the manager. There has been no recruitment-based fall-out, as speculated in some quarters, but United are looking for a new man in the dugout.
That will not, we understand, be O’Neil, despite him being mentioned as a serious option to succeed Wilder earlier this week. As we revealed this morning a strategy has been put in place to announce Wilder’s departure, less than five months after signing a new deal at Bramall Lane, following discussions with members of the United hierarchy this week.
O’Neil has been out of work since leaving Molineux last year and has been looking for his next managerial opportunity – but that will not come at Bramall Lane.
The Wilder decision will at least allow United to move forward with their plans for the new campaign. Wilder had lined up a number of players for Bramall Lane moves this summer – including out-of-contract defender Harry Darling – but they may now move elsewhere, with Darling also a target for United’s Championship rivals Norwich City as well as Glasgow giants Rangers.
\Speculation will also inevitably mount about the futures of those United players who were close to Wilder. Key man Gustavo Hamer had a particularly good relationship with the Blades boss and is expected to be the subject of more transfer interest this summer after Leeds United failed with an audacious low-ball bid a year ago.
A deal, which speculation suggests, paves the way for Milos Kerkez to depart the south coast for Premier League champions Liverpool.
According to a report by the BBC, the deal includes a £ 11.4 million fee with a possible additional £3 million in add-ons. Rennes will also receive a 10% sell-on clause, should Truffert leave for a fee in the future.
French journalist Benjamin Quarez has reported that Truffert will sign a five-year contract on the south coast.
The 23-year-old left-back was first linked with a move to the Cherries in June 2024, when he was also linked with Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Leicester and Fulham, along with other clubs from across Europe.
Truffert has been with Ligue 1 side Rennes since 2015, signing his first professional contract with the club five years ago.
He has made almost 200 appearances for the club in all competitions and is the current club captain.
Truffert has represented France at Under 18, 19, 21 levels, as well as representing France in the Olympics for the Under-23 side.
In 2022, he won his first and only French cap, representing France in the UEFA Nations League.
