Wolves' Struggles Under Rob Edwards
Wolves have secured only three wins in 22 Premier League matches since Rob Edwards took charge.
One Friday afternoon, the front doors at Compton training ground malfunctioned, briefly locking out several people before the issue was resolved. This incident serves as a fitting metaphor for Wolves' season.
The club has been fractured, and manager Rob Edwards has been attempting to rebuild the team since November. Despite his efforts, he faced a near-impossible challenge and was unable to prevent relegation.
Relegation from the Premier League was confirmed following West Ham's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Wolves have occupied the bottom spot in the league table since the third week of the season, managing only three victories. Despite the difficult campaign, there remains optimism within the club and an expectation for improved fortunes ahead.
This optimism contrasts with the gradual decline that has led to this point.
Protests against owners Fosun and former executive chairman Jeff Shi highlighted internal divisions that have been growing for several years and spilled over into the stands during Wolves' poor start to the season.
The club has been on a downward trajectory and now faces playing in the Championship for the first time since 2018.
Transfer Regrets
Central to Wolves' decline has been the failure to adequately replace key players following the sales of Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Matheus Cunha, and Rayan Ait-Nouri over recent years.
None of the summer 2024 signings have become regular starters, with only Rodrigo Gomes and Sam Johnstone featuring in matchday squads.
In January 2025, Emmanuel Agbadou, Nasser Djiga, and Marshall Munetsi were brought in to aid survival efforts. However, Agbadou was sold to Besiktas last month, while Djiga and Munetsi were loaned out this season.
Among last summer's acquisitions, winger Jhon Arias was sold to Palmeiras in Brazil for just over £20 million after arriving from Fluminense, and Fer Lopez returned to Celta Vigo on loan.
These moves reflect the regrets surrounding Wolves' transfer dealings, with no Premier League experience added after losing Cunha to Manchester United and Ait-Nouri to Manchester City. Additionally, Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia departed on free transfers.
Former director of professional football Domenico Teti, who left shortly after Victor Pereira's sacking, had approved these signings despite Pereira's dissatisfaction with the slow transfer business and the failure to secure his preferred players. Pereira reportedly regretted renewing his contract under these circumstances.
At the time, Wolves believed there was value in the European market. Ladislav Krejci's loan from Girona has been considered their best signing, but others such as David Moller Wolfe, Tolu Arokodare, and Jackson Tchatchoua, who collectively cost around £45 million, had minimal impact.
There was no initial expectation that Wolves would struggle so severely this season due to transfer issues, but sources indicate that lessons have been learned. There is relief at starting anew and a determination to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Comparisons with Leicester and Southampton
Fans expressed their frustration vocally, chanting "You've sold the team - now sell the club" at Molineux in October as tensions peaked.
Jeff Shi's December interview with BBC WM, where he appeared dismissive of relegation concerns, was poorly received by supporters. Shi left the club less than six weeks after Pereira's dismissal in November, following a poor start with just two points from ten games.
Shi's departure after nearly a decade removed a significant source of fan discontent, but dissatisfaction with Fosun remains.
Fosun remains committed to Wolves despite exploring investment opportunities in Fosun Sports Group, including talks with former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor in October.
There is an expectation that ownership will provide financial support to facilitate a swift return to the Premier League, though fans remain critical of previous mismanagement.
Since Nuno Espirito Santo's departure in 2021, Wolves have had six permanent managers, seven including Steve Davis' interim spell in 2022.
Fosun will mark ten years of ownership this summer. Early successes have given way to a gradual decline.
Nuno led Wolves to promotion in 2018, two consecutive seventh-place finishes, Europa League quarter-finals, and an FA Cup semi-final. He left after a 13th-place finish.
Despite a 10th-place finish under Bruno Lage in 2022, Wolves have slipped to 13th, 14th, and then 16th in subsequent seasons.
Managers Julen Lopetegui, Gary O'Neil, and Victor Pereira reportedly felt they lacked sufficient backing, but there is now greater alignment between the new leadership of Nathan Shi, appointed executive chairman in December, technical director Matt Jackson, and Edwards.
Nathan Shi is considered more receptive to the club's needs and willing to provide support, contrasting with Jeff Shi's perceived resistance to change.
Wolves' situation has drawn comparisons with Leicester and Southampton's struggles last season. Early in the campaign, Wolves experienced a similar toxic atmosphere, which Leicester has yet to overcome.
The season has been challenging at Molineux, with incidents such as Pereira and Jorgen Strand Larsen clashing with fans after a last-minute defeat to Burnley in October. However, Edwards has helped restore some unity.
Since joining from Middlesbrough in November, Edwards lost his first seven games but has gradually improved the squad. Running statistics and intensity have increased, and he is well-regarded by players.
Edwards and assistant Harry Watling complement each other, balancing support with firm guidance.
The February victory over Aston Villa was a highlight, with Edwards sprinting down the touchline after Rodrigo Gomes' stoppage-time winner as fans celebrated enthusiastically.
Earlier, fans had chanted "1-0 to the Championship," signaling acceptance of relegation, a sentiment shared internally a month prior.
January's win over West Ham, ending a Premier League record 19-game winless streak, offered hope, supported by draws against Everton and Newcastle.
However, Wolves needed at least one win from those two matches to sustain hopes of an unlikely survival, and defeat by Bournemouth at the end of January shifted momentum.
This prompted late transfer activity, with Strand Larsen sold to Crystal Palace for £48 million on deadline day, and Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong arriving with the Championship campaign in mind.
Wolves recognized the need to begin rebuilding early.
Relegation has been a long time coming.
Future Prospects for Wolves and Edwards
Financially, Wolves remain stable despite relegation.
The club reported a £15.3 million loss for the 2024/25 fiscal year, announced in March, a slight increase from the £14.3 million loss the previous year.
This was largely due to transfer activity, with Wolves generating £117 million in player sales, including Matheus Cunha's £62.5 million transfer to Manchester United and Rayan Ait-Nouri's £36 million move to Manchester City last summer.
While valuable assets are diminishing, further departures are anticipated. Midfielders Joao Gomes and Andre are expected to leave, and the future of 18-year-old Mateus Mane, a standout player and Portugal Under-21 international, is likely to be decided in the coming weeks.
Matt Doherty is out of contract, and Angel Gomes may return to Marseille, although Wolves hold an option to make his loan permanent.
Internal discussions regarding transfers are ongoing. Edwards is also expected to renew efforts to sign Torino forward Che Adams, a target missed during the winter window.
With five games remaining after heavy defeats to West Ham and Leeds, Wolves must finish the season strongly, particularly for Edwards.
The club has a recent pattern of poor season endings, which have negatively affected subsequent campaigns.
In 2021-22, one win in the final nine matches contributed to a difficult start for Lage, who was replaced by Lopetegui by December.
Under Gary O'Neil, Wolves won only one of their last 11 games in 2023-24, leading to his departure before Christmas after securing just two wins in the first 16 matches of 2024-25.
Edwards cannot afford a similar outcome. His previous experience with Luton, which ended with his exit and successive relegations for the club, serves as a cautionary tale.
Fans may harbor doubts despite Edwards' improvements, as Wolves have never come close to escaping the bottom three this season.
Edwards has stated Wolves cannot waste time in the transfer market given they know their fate early and cited his experience from Luton as why he knows how to deal with things this time.
Any delays or failures in the transfer market would increase pressure on the popular head coach. As Wolves aim for immediate promotion, getting recruitment right is essential.
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