Gary O’Neil is working his players hard – and journalists Liam Keen and Nathan Judah have been very struck by one thing about his interactions with them.
O’Neil is overseeing his first season as a manager, and has taken his players to a training camp in Marbella.
It has been scorching in the south of Spain, but the manager has ensured real intensity in the sessions so far.
Hopefully, it is all going to be worth it by the time the first game of the season against Arsenal rolls around.
O’Neil is known for his extremely big work ethic. But journalists Liam Keen and Nathan Judah were both struck by something about the way he has been interacting with the players.
Gary O’Neil demanding, but very warm with the Wolves players
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Marseille had lodged a big for Wolves’ South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan.
Apparently, this was somewhere in the region of £21 million.
This was swiftly rejected, with Wolves very much wanting to keep the star, after his fantastic campaign last season.
Hwang was seen having a chat with O’Neil this morning out on the pitch at Wolves’ training camp.
Journalists Keen and Judah could not hear what they were discussing. But they did note the way O’Neil was interacting with Hwang, feeling he was very warm and friendly with him.
And this is something they have noticed him do with other players while on Marbella.
Having observed a chat between O’Neil and Hwang, Keen said (via E&S): “We don’t know what was said, we weren’t in earshot. But it was as we’ve come to expect with Gary. Very much friendly. He’s an arm-around-the-shoulder kind of guy, he’s hugging, he’s chatting to him and laughing with him.
“He obviously wants to keep Hwang Hee-chan. I think the player is definitely happy here as well.
“It was nice to see really. We’ve seen him do that around the squad. Just over here, at the end Santi Bueno and Pablo Sarabia were sat in the sun having a chat. He comes over and sits with them. It’s very hands-on.
“Regardless of what they were talking about (O’Neil and Hwang), and obviously it’s interesting because of the bid we all know has come in, to have that kind of relationship with your players is really important.”
O’Neil seems to strike a great blend
It is fascinating to hear about how O’Neil is interacting with his players out in Marbella.
Pre-season can be tough. While it is important to put on these gruelling sessions, it’s important he doesn’t go overboard and push his players too far.
It sounds as though he is striking a great balance, and that the players all have a lot of respect for him which is really important.
Hopefully, the preparations will set Wolves up in the best possible way for that first game against Arsenal.
