Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil is setting aside personal sentiments as he braces himself for a reunion with his ex-club Bournemouth.
Wolves travel to the Vitality Stadium this weekend, and this encounter marks his first return since parting ways with the Cherries in the summer.
O’Neil guided Bournemouth to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season, ensuring their survival, but the club decided to part ways with him in June to hire Andoni Iraola.
As Wolves (14th) prepare to face Bournemouth (19th), they are five positions and five points ahead of the Cherries in the league standings, but O’Neil wants to keep the focus on the match.
O’Neil said (via The Athletic): “No, it’s zero percent about me, and there’s zero consideration for what it means to me. It’s a game we want to take three points from and one we can compete against.
“There’s nothing extra for me. The players are ready as they always have been for a tough Premier League game.”
The 40-year-old appears to have come to terms with the manner of his departure.
He added: “My feelings around the situation, one which was about four months ago, is that’s football. It’s what happens. I’m in a great place in a great football club.”
The former Bournemouth boss acknowledged the club’s progress, stating: “Bournemouth have added an awful lot.
“The group there now is different from the one I had. They’ve spent over £100 million in the window, and we’re still early in a transition phase where we have a bit less depth, but we have quality.”
