The Athletic reports that Gary O'Neill, Rob Edwards and Carrick are all candidates for the Wolves' new coach.
After Vitor Pereira was sacked on Sunday, Gary O'Neill, who was sacked by Wolves less than a year ago, was one of several options discussed internally. Edwards has deep ties to Wolves, having played there as a player and youth team coach, but his current role at Middlesbrough means compensation will be paid for poaching. Former Middlesbrough coach Carrick is also highly appreciated, and similar to O'Neill's current situation, both are currently unemployed.
These three are likely not the only candidates. The club hopes to complete the appointment of the new coach as soon as possible, but it may not be finalized before Wolves' next game against Chelsea next week.
Vitor Pereira was fired after losing 0-3 to Fulham. This defeat extended Wolves' winless start to the Premier League season to 10 games. The 57-year-old coach was sacked just 45 days after signing a new contract that extended to 2028.
The 42-year-old Gary O'Neill has been away from coaching since being replaced by Pereira in December 2024. He took over the job after Lopetegui left office and led the team to 14th place in the Premier League in his first season. However, the following season he only led the team in 19 games and scored 6 points before being fired.
The 44-year-old Carrick was fired by Middlesbrough this summer. The former Manchester United midfielder will take over the team in October 2022 and usher in his first head coaching job. He led Middlesbrough from the Championship relegation zone to the promotion play-offs in his first season, but was sacked last season after failing to finish in the top six for the second consecutive year.
The 42-year-old Rob Edwards took over from Carrick to coach Middlesbrough in June this year. He currently leads the team to second place in the English Championship standings. His contract with Middlesbrough is until 2028. Edwards led Luton Town to promotion to the Premier League in 2023, but left in January this year as the team was just above the Championship relegation zone. Luton was eventually relegated to League One at the end of the season. Edwards played more than 100 times for Wolves from 2004 to 2008, worked in the youth training system, and briefly acted as the first-team coach in 2016.
Wolves have not won in the top league since defeating Leicester City on April 26, and are currently 8 points behind the safety zone. The club announced on Sunday that U21 coach James Collins and U18 coach Richard Walker would temporarily take over training duties.