Wolves, Raul Jimenez transfer truth emerges involving Rob Edwards | OneFootball

The Mexican saw his anticipated Molineux return confirmed earlier this week

After their relegation from the Premier League looked a certainty for most of the 2025/26 season, higher-ups at Wolverhampton Wanderers would no doubt have been planning for a first-time promotion bid in the Championship.

Despite ending the campaign rock-bottom of the top-flight with just three league victories and 20 points from 38 matches, the West Midlands outfit had already been tipped to achieve such feats along with West Ham United.

Wanderers have certainly been on a downward spiral for some time though, and that has largely been reflected by the atmosphere at Molineux on matchdays, where they won just twice in the Premier League last season, albeit against Aston Villa and Liverpool - both of whom qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

Much of the frustration and anger felt in the terraces has been directed at ownership group, Fosun, who, themselves, have made controversial boardroom restructures in recent months, with Nathan Shi currently overseeing day-to-day matters in WV1 following the resignation of his father in December.

That said, whilst Rob Edwards had failed to fully endear himself to the locals after his controversial appointment last November following Vitor Pereira's departure, there was an expectancy that the 43-year-old would be given the chance to take charge of his first full season.

However, those aspirations themselves have been dashed in somewhat controversial fashion, and the club are poised to confirm the appointment of Gil Vicente boss, Cesar Peixoto, in his place.

It is a decision which has puzzled many due to the club's recent activity in the transfer market, although subsequent claims have now come to the fore.

Fresh stance emerges on Raul Jimenez's Wolves return after shock Rob Edwards news

Action Images

While many supporters are struggling to fully understand the key decision, a club statement reads that it comes after a "comprehensive review," whilst his pending successor, Peixoto, is understood to have been recommended by Portuguese agent, Jorge Mendes.

Mendes has been heavily associated with Wolves for some time, largely due to his influence in many high-profile signings during Nuno Espírito Santo's five-year spell at Molineux, which turned out to be a huge success.

In the lead-up to pre-season, Edwards had overseen the four-year contract extension handed to Brazilian midfielder, Andre, and the free agent additions of Kieran Trippier and South Bank cult hero and former striker, Raul Jimenez.

Trippier spoke rather glowingly of Edwards' involvement in negotiations, and is said to be one of several players left angry by his dismissal, and is even considering cancelling his agreement with the club, according to subsequent reports.

However, whilst the former boss offered his thoughts on the signing of Jimenez, as well as featuring in the announcement video on Wolves' social media channels, it has been reported that he had next-to-no involvement in the negotiation process.

Journalist, Johnny Phillips, has claimed on his 'Football Unfiltered' Substack, that it was Mendes who, again, was the key deal-breaker, with the Mexican international - who scored in the World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday - referencing a meeting with Shi as to what convinced him to return to Molineux, after the agent set-up such talks without Edwards being involved.

Wolves' latest managerial twist has soured the mood after Raul Jimenez return

Action Images

Unsurprisingly, with Peixoto a novice in the English game, there is a mass feeling of tension and concern running through all associated with Wolves right now, including the dressing room.

As such, an intriguing pre-season awaits, where transfer plans are bound to be altered, as well as the style of play, which could also have a huge effect on the beginning of the club's Championship campaign.

Jimenez's return had naturally lifted the mood in this part of the Black Country, with the 35-year-old scoring 57 times in 166 games during his first spell at the club, and the thought of him and Adam Armstrong as an attacking duo in the second tier is, in its own right, a frightening proposition.

Of course, the forward is not in the wrong whatsoever when it comes to these reported developments, but it will leave supporters with further questions towards those in the boardroom as to how the opening weeks of the off-season have been handled after suggestions that the decision to sack Edwards was delayed due to Mendes' focus on the managerial merry-go-round involving José Mourinho and Marco Silva.