Gary O’Neil celebrated with jubilant fans in McDonald’s after guiding Strasbourg into the Conference League semi-finals.
The former Wolves boss masterminded a 4-0 victory over Mainz in his side’s European quarter-final second leg on Thursday night.
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Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Germany, Strasbourg sealed a stunning comeback by winning emphatically on home soil.
Goals from Sebastian Nanasi, Abdoul Outtara, Julio Enciso and Emmanuel Emegha sent them cruising into the final four.
The result was significant for a number of reasons, with the French side reaching their first-ever European semi-final.
There was history in it for O’Neil too, who became the first Englishman since Bobby Robson with Barcelona in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997 to take an overseas club to a European semi-final.
And O’Neil is the first Englishman to take a side into the last-four since Roy Hodgson did so at Fulham in the Europa League in 2010.
Strasbourg will now battle Rayo Vallecano in two weeks’ time for a place in the final, as they look to continue their historic run.
I’m Lovin’ it
Strasbourg’s fans were in high spirits after their latest victory, and a select few were lucky enough to celebrate it with their manager.
That moment came when O’Neil popped into McDonald’s to treat himself after guiding his club to a landmark European semi-final.
Footage online shows the 42-year-old tapping away at the self-service kiosk, with fans looking stunned to see him.
One supporter – wearing a blue Strasbourg scarf – can be seen asking O’Neil for a selfie whilst midway through his order, with the ex-Premier League boss duly obliging.
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Another fan in the restaurant is shown banging the tables in a show of appreciation for the manager’s heroics.
Stellar start
Strasbourg’s big European win saw O’Neil keep up his strong start to life in France following his appointment in January.
The English coach succeeded Liam Rosenior at the BlueCo-owned club, with his fellow compatriot taking charge of Chelsea.
O’Neil’s appointment marked his return to the dugout after a year-long football sabbatical following his axe from Wolves in 2024.
Since stepping into the hotseat at the Ligue side, he has made an impressive start with only three defeats from 17 games across all competitions.
Strasbourg have dropped one league place since Rosenior’s departure, going from seventh to eighth under O’Neil.
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However, the former Wolves and Bournemouth boss could etch his name into club history by delivering two pieces of silverware.
Strasbourg are eyeing European glory after reaching the last four of the Conference League, with a possible final showdown against Crystal Palace or Shakhtar Donetsk on the cards.
They are also in with the chance of a domestic trophy, as the Alsace outfit face Nice in the Coupe de France semi-finals next week.
Should O’Neil deliver cup success, this would mark Strasbourg’s first victory in the competition since 2001.
While he has enjoyed a strong initial period in France, O’Neil will have to navigate some changes to his squad in the summer.
He is set to lose both prolific young striker Emanuel Emegha and promising full-back Valentin Barco, with the pair already agreeing to join sister club Chelsea ahead of next season.
