Ten years of Fosun: What next for Wolves? | OneFootball

A decade on from Fosun’s takeover, Wolves find themselves starting again, seeking an immediate Premier League return after relegation.

ExpressAndStar.com reports that early investment took Wolves from the Championship to the Europa League under Nuno Espirito Santo, then tighter budgets and poor recruitment drove a slide to relegation. Fosun bought the club on July 21, 2016, and now must reset.

Chairman Nathan Shi replaced Jeff Shi in December and was made permanent in May. A Fosun executive educated in the United States with no professional football background, he has improved communication, but success depends on his calls.

Season-ticket cuts and free agents Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez signalled intent. Sacking Rob Edwards via social media reports then appointing Jorge Mendes client Cesar Peixoto divided opinion, and showed Fosun’s model endures. Mendes drove Jimenez’s return and Peixoto’s hire, and undoubtedly influenced Joao Gomes’s move to Villa, with business still to spark.

Peixoto’s pre-season assessments will shape exits, then recruitment must follow. A goalkeeper is crucial, another midfielder essential, plus a winger and likely another number nine to bring experience and ruthlessness.

Re-engaging supporters is vital. A Carabao Cup tie at home to Port Vale precedes Blackburn at home, then Preston away and Stoke at home, with all three August league opponents finishing in last season’s bottom half. Early momentum could change the mood.

Fosun will not be at Wolves forever and will want to sell from strength, but whether lessons have been learned from recent failures remains unclear.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com