Gary O’Neil has pulled out of talks to make a shock return as Wolves manager, talkSPORT understands.O’Neil appeared to be the leading candidate to replace Vitor Pereira in the dugout, with talks ramping up on Monday.O’Neil has decided to withdraw from talks to become Wolves managerGettyHowever, he has now opted to withdraw himself from the running despite coming close to agreeing personal terms.Pereira was sacked on Sunday, with his side failing to win any of their first ten Premier League matches of the season.O’Neil, who was dismissed by the club last December, then emerged as a contender to make a comeback to MolineuxHe was believed to be still highly regarded by the club’s hierarchy and they were looking set to make a swift hire.But instead, the 42-year-old pulled out after a period of reflection.Wolves are now going to have to move on to other targets having missed out on the chance to re-hire their former boss.And their former striker Robbie Keane is understood to have also expressed an interest in the job.Wolves are currently rock-bottom of the table with just two points after their 3-0 defeat to Fulham at the weekend.Relegation is now a real risk, but Keane, who scored 27 goals in 85 matches for the club, is in the running to try and save them.After a playing career with spells at clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool and Celtic, Keane became the player-manager at ATK.O’Neil is no longer on his way back to the Wolves dugoutGettyKeane won the Hungarian title just months into his stint at FerencvarosGettyHe then took on the assistant manager role with the Ireland national team before becoming the head coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023.Keane won the Israeli Premier League title in his one and only season at the club, as well as the Toto Cup.The ex-Premier League star joined Hungarian side Ferencvaros at the beginning of 2025 and lifted the league title.talkSPORT reported last week that Keane has been considered for the Celtic vacancy after the departure of Brendan Rodgers.However, if the 45-year-old did return to Wolves it would arguably be the toughest job in the Premier League.It’s a move that has been backed by talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist in their mission to avoid the drop.He could be the man to replace Pereira in the hot seat at MolineuxGettyKeane backed for Wolves job“Wolves fans, forgive me, but the likes of Brendan Rodgers, he doesn’t want a relegation on his CV,” Stelling said on Breakfast. “That’s what it is almost certainly going to be. “My suggestion for what it’s worth, a bit left field, is what about someone like Robbie Keane? “He started out at Wolves, he’s been abroad, he’s done his stuff, he’s had success at Maccabi Tel Aviv, now he’s having success at Ferencvaros as well. “I’m pretty sure he’s keen to manage in England, particularly in the top flight. “I’d be looking at someone like that who wants to come and make an impact, rather than the same old names on the merry-go-round.”Keane came through the academy at Wolves before playing for the first teamgettyMcCoist replied: “I’ll tell you right now, it’s a good shout. Obviously he has connections with the club as well. “I don’t think that’s a daft shout. It’s a big job for him, but it’s a heck of a job as well. “He’s had a great start to his managerial career in Israel and Hungary, but that would be a big, big move for him.”Who else could be the next Wolves manager?Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards made 111 appearances for Wolves as a player and has also been sounded out.However, they would need to pay compensation to prise him away from the Championship promotion hopefuls.And Edwards played down talk around him potentially taking the job on Monday, saying: “I can understand it with my links to the club, but my full focus is on this job here, which is a brilliant job, and trying to turn things around for a really big game against Leicester.“It’s hard for me to comment on speculation and anything other than Middlesbrough. We’ve done a decent job so far and all I care about is trying to win tomorrow.”