Wolves have experienced a decline since their successful era under Nuno Espirito Santo after their promotion to the Premier League.
In 2018, Wolves secured their promotion following a remarkable 99-point Championship season under Nuno’s leadership. The Portuguese manager then guided the team to consistent progress, finishing seventh in back-to-back Premier League campaigns and even leading them on a European adventure.
However, after Nuno’s departure in 2021, the club has struggled, with four different managers attempting to restore the team to its former glory.
Since the 2022/23 season, Wolves have often found themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, with the 2024/25 campaign proving to be especially challenging. Vitor Pereira, who took over in December, has managed to stabilize the situation, and Wolves’ chances of relegation now appear slim.
Nevertheless, a 17th-place finish seems likely, which would mark their lowest league position since promotion, while Nuno is guiding Nottingham Forest to the Champions League.
Could Wolves’ decline have been avoided if they had kept Nuno after a difficult 2020/21 season? Former captain Conor Coady seems to think so. In November 2019, after a Europa League match against Braga, Coady praised Nuno and stressed the importance of keeping him at the club, predicting that Wolves would continue to improve as long as he remained in charge.
“I think he’s going to attract a lot of attention from big clubs, but it’s important that we keep him here for as long as possible,” Coady said. “He’s been outstanding, and as long as he’s here, we’ll keep improving. Let’s hope he stays for many years.”
Coady’s words now serve as a stark reminder to the Wolves hierarchy, especially in light of how things have unfolded since Nuno’s departure.
The club’s struggles stem from issues at the top, with owners Fosun and chairman Jeff Shi facing ongoing criticism from fans. Managers such as Bruno Lage, Julen Lopetegui, and Gary O’Neil have come and gone, but they’ve fallen short due to insufficient support.
Nuno’s success at Nottingham Forest has been particularly painful for Wolves, as Forest currently sits third in the Premier League, fully invested in Nuno’s project.
After Nuno’s exit from Molineux, the Telegraph revealed the details behind the scenes, reporting that Shi personally informed Nuno of his departure before a match against Everton in May, the second-to-last game of the season. Wolves were prepared to part ways with Nuno for various reasons, and the manager himself agreed. The mutual decision shocked many, but Wolves are now paying the price as they watch their former boss make significant strides in the Premier League.
Conor Coady told Jeff Shi how to avoid Wolves collapse with Nuno Espirito Santo claim
