Exclusive: Ex-Wolves boss Gary O'Neil backed as top candidate for Norwich City job | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, David Prutton has strongly recommended the 41-year old for the vacant Carrow Road post.

David Prutton has urged Norwich City to consider Gary O’Neil for the managerial vacancy at Carrow Road.

The 41-year-old has been out of work since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024, following a successful stint that helped stabilise Wolves in the Premier League.

Prior to that, O'Neil guided Bournemouth to safety in the 2022/23 season, impressing many with his calm approach and adaptability under pressure.

After the Canaries’ struggles under Johannes Hoff Thorup, attention is already turning to who could take the reins next.

With O'Neil available and proven at Championship and Premier League level, questions are being asked about whether he should be in serious contention.

Gary O’Neil recommended as a strong contender for the Norwich City manager job

Speaking exclusively to Football League World about the managerial vacancy at Carrow Road, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton was asked whether Gary O’Neil should be under serious consideration.

In response, he praised the job O’Neil has done so far in his managerial career and urged Norwich to keep him firmly on their shortlist:

“Gary O’Neill and Norwich City - we spoke about Russell Martin didn’t we and Norwich City with their familial ties to both,” Prutton told FLW.

“I think the job that Gary did at Bournemouth was exceptional. I think the job he did at Wolves was exceptional as well.

“I think we’re quite quick to write managers off, but it’s a career still in its managerial infancy off the back of a stellar playing career, and I think he should be one of many people that they think about, because that change from David Wagner with Johannes Hoff Thorup has quite simply, obviously, not worked.

“They’ve treaded water to the point they were not necessarily troubling the top six, and a team and a club like Norwich should be. They should be knocking on the door of the top six, should be in that top six chat in the Championship, given their recent Premier League history.

“Very thorough, very conscientious, knows what he’s doing, and again another good, young, hungry manager.”

Gary O’Neil could be the man to push Norwich City to the next level

At 41, O’Neil remains in the early stages of his managerial journey, suggesting there is significant scope for further development.

His career to date has been shaped by top-level experience, having exclusively managed in the Premier League - a rare achievement for such a young coach.

O’Neil is no stranger to Carrow Road either, having represented Norwich City as a player between 2014 and 2016.

During that time, he was part of the squad that secured promotion to the Premier League under Alex Neil in 2015, giving him first-hand understanding of the club’s ambitions and expectations.

Crucially, O'Neil has demonstrated the ability to organise teams effectively, manage pressure at the highest level, and develop a resilient playing style - attributes that would be vital for a Norwich side aiming to re-establish themselves in the Championship’s top six.

If O’Neil is willing to step into the Championship for the next phase of his career, the Canaries could secure a manager with proven pedigree, strong ties to the club, and the hunger to succeed.