Gary O'Neil is an English association football manager and former player.
He is currently the manager of Premier League club Ipswich Town.
O'Neil made his professional debut for Portsmouth at the age of 16.
Biography
Early Life
Gary Paul O'Neil was born in Beckenham, London, and raised in Downham. He developed a passion for football early on, which led him to pursue a career in the sport.
Playing Career
O'Neil began his professional career at Portsmouth F.C., where he made his debut at just 16 years old. His early years were marked by challenges, including a knee injury that sidelined him for a significant period. However, he made a strong comeback, scoring his first professional goal in a crucial match that helped Portsmouth avoid relegation. Over the years, he played for several clubs, including Cardiff City, Walsall, Middlesbrough, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers, and Norwich City. O'Neil also represented England at various youth levels, earning caps for the U19, U20, and U21 teams, and captaining the U21 squad at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Managerial Career
Transitioning from player to manager, O'Neil began his coaching career as an assistant manager for Liverpool's under-23 squad. He later joined Bournemouth as a senior first team coach and was appointed caretaker manager in August 2022 after the dismissal of Scott Parker. O'Neil's impressive performance in this role led to his permanent appointment as head coach, where he continued to build on the team's success in the Premier League.
Personal Life
O'Neil married Donna Guerin in 2006, and together they have three children, including a son who has pursued acting and joined AFC Wimbledon's academy. His family life remains an important aspect of his identity, and he has shared personal milestones with fans, including the passing of his father in 2026.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Early career
In August 2020, O'Neil was appointed as assistant manager to Barry Lewtas for Liverpool's under-23 squad. Following the appointment of Jonathan Woodgate as manager of Championship club Bournemouth until the end of the 2020–21 season, O'Neil joined Bournemouth as senior first team coach on 23 February 2021. He remained at the club following Woodgate's departure at the end of the season, and was a part of the coaching staff that got the club promoted to the Premier League under new manager Scott Parker in the 2021–22 EFL Championship season.
Bournemouth
On 30 August 2022, O'Neil was placed in caretaker charge by Bournemouth following Parker's dismissal. O’Neil’s first game in charge was a 0–0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, before picking up his first victory in the club's following match, a 3–2 victory against Nottingham Forest on 3 September. They remained unbeaten for a further 4 games, including a 2–1 victory against Leicester on 8 October, while O'Neil garnered a nomination for Premier League Manager of the Month for the team's performances in September. He remained in caretaker charge until the season paused for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, adding another Premier League victory against Everton on 12 November during that stretch. On 27 November, having picked up 13 points from a possible 33, O'Neil was appointed as Bournemouth's permanent head coach, signing an initial 18-month contract. In the eight games immediately following O'Neil's…
O'Neil earned caps for England at U19, U20 & U21 youth level, and captained England at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He made nine appearances for the England under-21 team.
Portsmouth
Whilst at Portsmouth, Tony Pulis gave O'Neil his first team debut as a 16-year-old on 29 January 2000 at home to Barnsley in the First Division, but then kept him out of the spotlight for the rest of the season. On 19 August 2000, he made his first appearance of the 2000-01 season, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town. The following year both Pulis and his successor Steve Claridge used O'Neil sparingly, due to suffering a knee injury that required a knee surgery. He made his return from injury, coming on as a 64th minute substitute, in a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on 14 April 2001. Following this, Portsmouth's third manager of a disastrous season, Graham Rix, made O'Neil a starter for the final five matches of the season. Portsmouth went into the final game against Barnsley needing to win to have any chance of avoiding relegation to the Second Division. Portsmouth won the match 3–0 and survived, with O'Neil scoring the second goal, his first in professional football. In the 2001–02 season, Harry Redknapp then took over as manager at the end of the season, O'Neil was one of the few players to be retained in Redknapp's rebuilding of the squad. On 9 March 2002, he scored a volley against his boyhood club Millwall. However, during the match, O'Neil suffered a calf injury and was out for weeks. On 30 March 2002, he made his return to the starting the whole game, in a 2-0 loss against Preston North End. In…
- Club
- Portsmouth F.C. (2000–2007)
- Club
- Middlesbrough F.C. (2007–2011)
- Club
- Cardiff City F.C. (2004–2004)
- Club
- West Ham United F.C. (2011–2013)
- Club
- Walsall F.C. (2003–2003)
- Club
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. (2013–2014)
- Club
- Norwich City F.C. (2014–)
- Club
- England national under-19 association football team (2001–2002)
- Club
- England national under-20 association football team (2002–2003)
- Club
- England national under-21 association football team (2003–2004)
- League
- Premier League
Personal
O'Neil was born in Beckenham, London and grew up in Downham. He married Donna Guerin in 2006. As of March 2023, they have two daughters and a son. Their son has acted on the television series Grantchester and in 2023, joined AFC Wimbledon's academy aged 9. On 17 September 2026, O'Neil revealed on social media that his father, Graham, had died.
Clubs
- Norwich City F.C.2014current
- Portsmouth F.C.2000–2007
- England national under-19 association football team2001–2002
- England national under-20 association football team2002–2003
- England national under-21 association football team2003–2004
- Walsall F.C.2003–2003
- Cardiff City F.C.2004–2004
- Middlesbrough F.C.2007–2011
- West Ham United F.C.2011–2013
- Queens Park Rangers F.C.2013–2014
Played together with
Aaron BrownQueens Park Rangers F.C. · 2004–2006- Aaron BrownWalsall F.C. · 2008–2008
- Aaron CookPortsmouth F.C. · 1998–1999
Aaron CresswellWest Ham United F.C. · 2014- Aaron FlahavanPortsmouth F.C. · 1994–2001
Aaron HughesQueens Park Rangers F.C. · 2014–2014
Aaron LennonEngland national under-21 association football team · 2005–2008
Aaron McCareyPortsmouth F.C. · 2015–2015
Aaron McCareyWalsall F.C. · 2012–2012
Aaron McCareyWalsall F.C. · 2013–2013
Aaron MokoenaPortsmouth F.C. · 2009–2012- Aaron MorrisCardiff City F.C. · 2008–2010
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Gary Paul O'Neil is an English football manager and former player, who is currently the manager of Premier League club Ipswich Town.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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