Wolves’ senior figures have acknowledged that their off-season recruitment did not deliver the immediate impact they hoped for. Technical director Matt Jackson accepted that the club’s position at the foot of the Premier League table is evidence that their strategy has not paid off.
Wolves’ senior figures have acknowledged that their off-season recruitment did not deliver the immediate impact they hoped for. Technical director Matt Jackson accepted that the club’s position at the foot of the Premier League table is evidence that their strategy has not paid off.
He explained that the group brought in during the window was chosen with a view to long-term development, but the return of only two points so far shows the plan has not worked. Jackson stressed that the squad’s effort to improve has been strong, yet the current results speak for themselves.
With Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri departing for a combined £92.5m and Nelson Semedo leaving at the end of his contract, Wolves relied heavily on newcomers without experience in English top-flight football. Six arrivals — Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias, Tolu Arokodare, David Moller Wolfe, Jackson Tchatchoua, and Ladislav Krejci — were tasked with filling major gaps.
Jackson added that the club’s financial limitations push them toward scouting in undervalued markets, a challenge that has made the transition to a new squad more difficult.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi echoed the concerns around the team’s decline, admitting that the club may have allowed too many key players to leave during one transfer period. He noted that nearly half of last season’s core has changed, making the rebuild especially difficult in a league of such intensity.
Shi said he understands why fans have voiced their anger, particularly after a winless run stretching back to April and a sequence of eight straight defeats. He recognized that supporters compare the present with the club’s recent peak, which included a European quarter-final and an FA Cup semi-final.
He described the reaction from fans — including a protest during the match against Manchester United — as natural given the team’s fall from earlier heights. Shi insisted he remain open to dialogue and accept that criticism directed towards him in the stadium is a part of the role.
Although the team sits 13 points from safety, Shi maintains that the club’s internal structure is currently operating with strong cohesion behind the scenes. He argued that off the pitch the environment is as unified as it has been during his tenure.
Rob Edwards, appointed in November to replace Vitor Pereira, has endured a difficult beginning with four defeats from four matches. Despite the challenges, both Shi and Jackson reiterated their commitment to the manager.
Shi said he expects Edwards to remain for at least the next two or three seasons barring an unexpected change of heart from the coach. He highlighted Edwards’ previous association with Wolves as a player and coach, describing the project as long-term.
Jackson emphasized that Edwards is fully invested in the task and has shown no loss of resolve. He encouraged supporters to hold the club’s leadership accountable but also to continue offering support to the team on matchdays.
