after the sensational star Andoni Iraola’s shocking exit.
OLD ALLEGIANCES will be put to one side this weekend when former Cherries boss Gary O’Neil visits Vitality Stadium with Wolves, as stalwart Adam Smiths says “there’s not going to be any friends”.
Wolves are in town on Saturday (3pm) as O’Neil’s successor Andoni Iraola hunts for a first Cherries win in the Premier League at the ninth attempt.
Initially stepping in as caretaker manager before being appointed on a permanent basis, O’Neil led Cherries to Premier League survival last term in his first job as a head coach.
Despite the success of securing a second season in the top flight, O’Neil was dispensed in June, as Cherries looked to implement a new style of play with Basque boss Andoni Iraola.
On the eve of the Premier League season, O’Neil was handed another chance in the Premier League, becoming Wolverhampton Wanderers manager on a three-year deal following the shock departure of Julien Lopetegui just five days before Wolves’ season opener away at Manchester United.
Veteran Smith has previously labelled the job done by O’Neil last term as “one of the biggest achievements” at Cherries.
Smith played 35 times under O’Neil last season, and was handed the captain’s armband on 14 occasions whilst serving as vice-captain.
The 32-year-old stated that even though the former head coach was popular in the dressing room, there would be no sentiment shared on the pitch, with Cherries fully focused on recording their maiden league victory of the campaign.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Smith shared: “He’s done well with us, and the lads got along well with him.
“But on the game against Wolves there’s not going to be any friends or anything like that.
“So we’re there to win the game.
“That’s what we have to focus on.”
During his time in charge of Cherries, O’Neil developed a pragmatic and adaptable approach to management, often altering his starting line-up to counteract opposition tactics.
