Next Wolves manager: Leading contender to replace Gary O’Neil spotted in stands vs Ipswich as top candidates revealed

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER was spotted in the stands as Wolves took on Ipswich at Molineux yesterday.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was sacked earlier today following his side’s 2-1 defeat to the Tractor Boys.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in attendance at Molineux yesterday[/caption]

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Solskjaer, 51, catches up with Kieran McKenna[/caption]

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Gary O’Neil has been sacked by Wolves[/caption]

Defeat to their fellow strugglers followed away losses to West Ham and Everton.

O’Neil, 41, leaves Wolves 19th in the Premier League table with just nine points from 16 games.

In attendance at yesterday’s match was former Manchester United boss Solskjaer.

The 51-year-old was spotted catching up with his former Red Devils assistant Kieran McKenna, now Ipswich boss, ahead of the game.

McKenna, 38, worked with Solskjaer throughout his United tenure, initially remaining at Old Trafford under Ralf Rangnick before heading to Ipswich in December 2021.

Solskjaer also greeted Wolves first-team coach Shaun Derry before the match.

Following O’Neil’s Molineux departure, Solskjaer has been installed among the favourites to land the gig.

He has been out of work since leaving Man Utd in 2021, and has recently turned down a third stint at Molde.

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Early favourite for the Wolves job is Steve Cooper.

The Welshman, 45, is a free agent having been sacked by Leicester last month.

Next in the running is former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao.

Conceicao, 50, has been out of work since leaving Porto at the end of last season.

Another Portuguese coach, Pedro Martins, who is currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Gharafa, is also in the frame.

While Carlos Corberan, boss of Wolves’ fierce rivals West Brom, is a controversial candidate at similar odds as Solskjaer.

Graham Potter and David Moyes are also among the contenders.

Whoever takes charge will do amid huge tensions at Molineux.

Mario Lemina was stripped of the club captaincy this week, with the armband given to Nelson Semedo.

While Matheus Cunha was spotted ripping an Ipswich member of staff’s glasses off during a brawl at the end of yesterday’s game.

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Steve Cooper is among the favourites for the Wolves job[/caption]

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Former Porto boss Sergio Conceicao has also been mentioned[/caption]