Gary O'Neil is relishing the challenge of returning to the Premier League with Ipswich Town, insisting the newly promoted club has a point to prove as it prepares for another top-flight campaign.
O'Neil, who has previously managed Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League, has returned to England after a spell with French club Strasbourg. He believes the experience has helped him develop as a manager and has left him better prepared for the demands ahead at Ipswich.
Speaking to JioHotstar, O'Neil said the club's decision to appoint him represented an opportunity to build something of his own.
"When you're going for a Premier League job, you know it's going to be very competitive and Ipswich Town did a lot of work to find the right person, and I'm
grateful they chose me," O'Neil said.
"I've put a lot into my development since my last time in the Premier League. I took a step back, reassessed, and learned a lot. Going to France where I managed Strasbourg was a great experience and that helped me grow as a manager. I'm coming back much better than before and there's unfinished business for me and for Ipswich Town. "
Gary O'Neil wants Ipswich to prove they belong
Ipswich return to the Premier League with O'Neil taking charge of a club whose history includes the English top-flight title, FA Cup and European success.
The manager is aware of the stature of those who have previously occupied the dugout at Portman Road, but wants to establish his own legacy rather than simply become another name in the club's history.
"Ipswich Town is a club with incredible history and among the three Premier League clubs I've managed, this one has the most illustrious past," O'Neil said.
"They have won the European Cup, FA Cup, and have triumphed in the Premier League as well. Some great managers have been here before me, and it's an honour to follow them. But I don't just want to be another name on the list. I want to leave my own mark and make the fans proud. "
For O'Neil, the connection between Ipswich and its supporters is central to the task ahead.
"I know what this club means to the people here. It's more than just football; it's a big part of the community. I'm excited to be part of that and I want to make everyone proud. "
His ambition is clear as he prepares for the season.
"I'm grateful to the club executives for this opportunity and now I'm ready to show that Ipswich Town belongs in the Premier League. We will attack the season with grit and determination and make sure people take notice of us. "
Gary O'Neil draws on Bournemouth survival experience
Keeping Ipswich in the Premier League will be the immediate priority, and O'Neil believes his previous experience of fighting against relegation can prove valuable.
He pointed to his first full season at Bournemouth, when the club successfully secured its top-flight status through a collective effort.
"It's going to take everyone to keep Ipswich Town in the Premier League and I've been in this position before and got it right twice," he said.
"My first season as a manager with Bournemouth was a big moment. We managed to stay up, and that happened because we all pulled it off together - the fans, the staff, everyone. "
O'Neil's message is one of patience and composure, particularly when results inevitably turn against his team.
"There was no panic after a loss, we stayed calm, stuck to the plan, and kept believing. I'll be at the centre of that here at Ipswich and I'll drive the same mindset every day. "
The manager also pointed to the recent examples of promoted clubs surviving in the Premier League as evidence that Ipswich can do the same.
"Last season, Sunderland, and Leeds United both showed it can be done. More teams are managing it now and I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe we could do it too. I'm ready for the challenge. "
No fixed tactical formula
O'Neil does not intend to approach the season with a rigid tactical identity.
His experience at Strasbourg, where his side regularly dominated possession, contrasted with his Bournemouth team, which often operated without the ball. For O'Neil, the difference was determined by the players available rather than a fundamental change in philosophy.
"Tactically, I don't have a fixed approach. It's about adapting to what the game demands," he said.
"At Strasbourg, I made the players dominate possession and dictate the play in majority of the games and that's how I like my teams to play. But, at Bournemouth, we had less of the ball, that was more about the players we had, not the plan. "
That adaptability will be particularly important against the range of opposition Ipswich will face.
"This season, here at Ipswich Town, we need to be flexible. There will be games where we go all out and attack, and others where we have to be smarter and respect the opposition. "
O'Neil has already outlined his philosophy to the club's hierarchy and now wants to translate it onto the pitch.
"We need to pick our moments, take points from the big teams, and make sure we beat the sides around us. I have a clear idea of what I want, and I've shared it with the board. Now I need to show the players how we'll make it work. "
'The Premier League is the best league in the world'
For O'Neil, the challenge is not simply about surviving the Premier League but embracing the opportunity that comes with competing at the highest level of English football.
"This is a huge opportunity. I know the Premier League can be intimidating, but it's the best league in the world," he said.
"I want everyone to embrace the challenge, enjoy the fight, and remember that playing here is a privilege. "
Ipswich's campaign begins with one of the biggest tests imaginable, as Liverpool visit Portman Road on September 5.
For O'Neil, it will be an immediate opportunity to put his philosophy into practice - and begin the task of proving that Ipswich can hold its own among England's elite.
Catch Ipswich Town vs Liverpool in the Premier League 2026-27 season on Saturday, September 5, from 12:30 AM onwards, live on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
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