Jeff Shi, the executive chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has stepped down amidst mounting disappointment among fans due to the club’s struggles in the Premier League. The team currently sits 14 points adrift of safety, facing a potential relegation back to the Championship.
Wolves’ Premier League Woes
As Wolverhampton prepares to host Brentford this Saturday, they are looking to avoid equaling the Premier League record for the worst start to a season. Currently, the club is on the verge of matching a 17-game winless streak, a record last set by Sheffield United during the 2020-21 season.
History and Recent Performance
During Jeff Shi’s tenure, which began after the club’s promotion from the Championship in 2018, Wolves enjoyed notable successes. Under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, the team achieved:
- Two consecutive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League.
- Quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2020.
- FA Cup semi-final appearance in 2019.
However, fans have expressed frustration with Shi’s administration. Many believe that the club has been in a managed decline under the ownership of Fosun. Such sentiments reached a peak recently, as thousands of supporters boycotted the first 15 minutes of a 4-1 loss to Manchester United on December 8.
Fan Frustrations and Future Plans
Shi acknowledged the discontent, noting that fans are unwilling to relinquish the heights the club once reached. He emphasized understanding their feelings, stating, “When you have reached those heights, fans don’t want to let it go.” He added that he feels empathy for supporters as the club attempts to navigate its challenges.
Transfer Missteps and Squad Overhaul
In an interview with BBC WM, Shi, along with technical director Matt Jackson, reflected on the transfer activity from the previous summer. They recognized that the club may have made errors in player sales, suggesting they parted with too many key players at once. Shi remarked, “We changed 40 or 50% of the key players,” indicating the difficulties of rebuilding a competitive squad.
As Wolverhampton examines its path forward, the focus will be on stabilizing the team and evaluating past decisions. The coming weeks will be vital as the club seeks to avoid relegation and restore its standing in the Premier League.
