Wolves: Relegated from the Premier League – so what now for Rob Edwards’ side?

Frustration reached boiling point at Molineux in October, with fans chanting “You’ve sold the team, now sell the club”.

Shi’s interview with BBC WM in December, when they appeared to be avoiding relegation, was not well received among fans and the under-fire chairman left in November, barely six weeks after Pereira was sacked after two points from the first 10 games.

Shi’s departure after almost a decade removed a toxic focal point for fans, but concern for Fosun remains.

Fosun remains committed to the club, despite holding talks with former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor in October to seek investment in Fosun Sports Group.

There is an expectation that ownership will provide funds to give Wolves the best chance of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt, but fans will find it hard to forgive their missteps.

Wolves have had six permanent managers since Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure in 2021; seven of those, including Steve Davis’ eight-game stoppage in 2022.

Fosun will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the summer and early success has given way to a slow decline.

Nuno led Wolves to promotion in 2018, finishing seventh in a row for the second time in a row; Europa League quarter-final and FA Cup semi-final.

He left after finishing 13th and despite finishing 10th under Bruno Lage in 2022, Wolves slowly slipped to 13th, 14th and then 16th last season.

Julen Lopetegui, Gary O’Neil and Pereira felt they did not get the support they wanted, but there is greater synergy between the new hierarchy of Nathan Shi, who was appointed chairman in December, Matt Jackson, who was promoted to manager, and Edwards.

While Nathan Shi is said to be more willing to understand what the club needs and deliver, there is a feeling that his predecessor Jeff Shi will be more resistant to change.

Comparisons can be made to Leicester and Southampton last season, with Wolves initially sharing the toxic cloud that could not be lifted over the Foxes’ situation earlier this season.

It has been difficult at Molineux at times this season – Pereira and Jorgen Strand Larsen arguing with fans after the final defeat against Burnley in October is a case in point – but Edwards has restored some unity.

He lost his first seven games after joining from Middlesbrough in November but has gradually improved his squad, his running stats have improved, his intensity has increased and Edwards is popular with the squad.

He works well with assistant Harry Watling; The duo gel well with a good mix of strong words and support for the team.

The win against Aston Villa in February provided the moment when the bond between fans could continue; Edwards raced down the touchline following Rodrigo Gomes’ clinch in stoppage time as the fans went wild.

They had previously signaled that their fate had been accepted by chanting “1-0 to the Championship”; This happened among themselves a month ago.

A win over West Ham in January provided a glimmer of hope after Wolves set a Premier League record for a 19-game winless start, and draws against Everton and Newcastle also helped.

Yet it was acknowledged that Wolves needed at least one win from those two games to maintain hope of an improbable comeback, and defeat to Bournemouth at the end of January turned the tide.

That was why Strand Larsen left for Crystal Palace for £48m on deadline day and Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong made late moves in the transfer window with next season’s Championship campaign in mind.

Wolves needed to start their rebuilding process early.

The fall was long awaited.