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Gary O’Neil has opened up on his return to Wanderers falling through – believing he deserved a parting phone call.
The veteran midfielder, last season’s player of the year, at one point looked set for a second season at the UniBol, returning to Lostock during the summer.
But with nothing concrete coming to pass with the Whites he then had training stints with QPR, MK Dons and more recently Aberdeen in a bid to find a new club.
Having stuck it out last season and played a key role in a troubled dressing room, O’Neil feels communication should have been better with the phone going quiet once Keith Hill and David Flitcroft arrived to replace Phil Parkinson.
“It’s complicated. There were discussions and I had agreed to stay,” the 36-year-old told 888sport.
“I kept myself fit and told them I’d be back as soon as it was possible to re-sign. But a few weeks later the management and coaching staff were changed and I didn’t hear anything from then on.
“I was disappointed I didn’t get a call from somebody.
“That would have been nice being a senior pro and helping out as I did off the pitch last year.
“I was on the phone all summer with the PFA trying to sort out the lads who needed money. On holiday I was on the phone all day.
“So I did all of that and, of course, I understand that they changed their mind and decided to go in another direction – I respect that – but to win the player of the year and not to get a call saying ‘Gary, we’ve decided not to offer you a new deal. We wish you all the best’….that would have been nice.”
Despite having the door closed at Bolton, O’Neil still feels he has plenty to offer on the pitch, while also having one eye on a coaching career.
“I’m working really hard. I still want to play,” he said.
“I haven’t given up on that dream but I’m watching a lot of games, at all levels, because I want to be ready should an opportunity arise in management at a lower level. I’m just getting myself ready to get on the rungs of management and maybe even one day surpass what I did as a player.”
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The veteran midfielder, last season’s player of the year, at one point looked set for a second season at the UniBol, returning to Lostock during the summer.
But with nothing concrete coming to pass with the Whites he then had training stints with QPR, MK Dons and more recently Aberdeen in a bid to find a new club.
Having stuck it out last season and played a key role in a troubled dressing room, O’Neil feels communication should have been better with the phone going quiet once Keith Hill and David Flitcroft arrived to replace Phil Parkinson.
“It’s complicated. There were discussions and I had agreed to stay,” the 36-year-old told 888sport.
“I kept myself fit and told them I’d be back as soon as it was possible to re-sign. But a few weeks later the management and coaching staff were changed and I didn’t hear anything from then on.
“I was disappointed I didn’t get a call from somebody.
“That would have been nice being a senior pro and helping out as I did off the pitch last year.
“I was on the phone all summer with the PFA trying to sort out the lads who needed money. On holiday I was on the phone all day.
“So I did all of that and, of course, I understand that they changed their mind and decided to go in another direction – I respect that – but to win the player of the year and not to get a call saying ‘Gary, we’ve decided not to offer you a new deal. We wish you all the best’….that would have been nice.”
Despite having the door closed at Bolton, O’Neil still feels he has plenty to offer on the pitch, while also having one eye on a coaching career.
“I’m working really hard. I still want to play,” he said.
“I haven’t given up on that dream but I’m watching a lot of games, at all levels, because I want to be ready should an opportunity arise in management at a lower level. I’m just getting myself ready to get on the rungs of management and maybe even one day surpass what I did as a player.”
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