Wolves fans remain frustrated as chairman Jeff Shi speaks in his latest column on Gary O’Neil, the struggles and negativity.
Shi expresses confidence in O’Neil’s ability to turn the season around, despite the team’s poor performance and the negativity surrounding the club, who currently sit in the relegation zone, 19th, with 9 points from 15 games played and 4 points from safety.
The chairman acknowledges the fans’ frustrations but emphasises a long-term vision for the club, focusing on sustainability and development rather than immediate results.
This approach has not been well-received by all fans, who are looking for more immediate improvement on the pitch, and wanting new additions to the squad.
šØEXCL column with Wolves chairman Jeff Shi for the @ExpressandStar
šBacking Gary O’Neil to turn it around
šŗ’The power of positivity’ ahead of a crucial period
š°Fosun investment and business model+ much more #wwfc https://t.co/JPyL7z8oNV
ā Liam Keen (@LiamKeen_Star) December 12, 2024
He wrote, per the Express & Star: “I was born in 1977, 100 years after Wolves was founded. Of course, this means I did not witness many of the best times of the clubās history, including the glory days of Billy Wright and Stan Cullis, when Wolves pioneered European club competitions – a legacy we are celebrating 70 years on this week.
“Looking at Wolvesā journey since 1977, I firmly believe we are experiencing one of the most competitive and successful periods in the clubās history. Considering the immense challenge of the Premier League, our sustained presence in the top division, and achievements such as reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, this era represents a high point in modern Wolves history.
“Over the last nine years, since Fosunās ownership began in 2016, Wolves have seen incredible highs and endured tough lows. Throughout this time, success or failure has never been down to a single individual – it has always been about the collective. Football is, at its core, a team sport, and that principle extends beyond the pitch.
“Owners are a part of the team, of course, as well as fans, management, staff, players and coaches, all of which are crucial. Itās not reasonable to attribute victories solely to those on the pitch or to place frustrations entirely on those working behind the scenes, or vice versa. We share success and challenges equally.
“Competing in the Premier League consistently for a long time is never smooth or predictable, especially in a league that grows more dynamic and competitive each season. Financially, Wolves operates under a model of prudent funding from its owners and is not yet fully self-sustainable – the investment comes when necessary and is based on business rationale.
“Business sense plays a key role in all our decisions, with our strategy and operations constantly evolving to adapt to the ever-changing football industry and global landscape. Of course, this year, injuries to key players have also been particularly challenging, and I hope for better fortune in 2025. Yet, it is during testing times like these that the true character of a team is revealed.
“Looking back, our journey hasnāt always been easy. In July 2016, I met Kenny Jackett for the first time, just after our takeover, and he warned me that if there were not enough additions to the squad, we would probably be relegated. He was genuine and he was right in his concerns. Even with further signings, we still struggled that season, including a five-game losing streak that had me considering contingency plans for League One.
“In 2017, when I was in Shanghai, I had a late-night three-hour call with the leadership team about the coach choice for the following season. While they were keen to retain Paul Lambert, I had already made the decision to sign Nuno. Of course, I had the same empathy that they had for Paul, and I didnāt think he had done a bad job at all.
“November 2020, the night of Raul Jimenezās injury at Arsenal, remains one of the most shocking moments Iāve experienced as Wolves chairman. It wasnāt just devastating for Raul but marked a turning point for the club. That night, I understood that some challenges are beyond control, no matter how hard we work. It became clear that it was the end of our first rising cycle and the start of a new chapter of rebuilding.
“In 2022/23, after 15 games, we had just 10 points – a situation not unlike where we find ourselves now. The noise on social media was deafening, but I learned an important lesson: during tough times, we must focus on meaningful actions rather than emotional distractions. One such moment led me to fly to Bilbao to meet Julen Lopetegui – a decision that brought clarity and results, even in difficult circumstances.
“I donāt need to familiarise supporters with what happened next in the summer of 2023, they all know it. But because of that, the destiny of Gary OāNeil and Wolves met at an unexpected moment, and I remain grateful to Gary for stepping into such a demanding situation just days before the beginning of a new season, and for his commitment to the club every day since then. While he knows that improving our results quickly is essential for everyone associated with the football club, we are united in supporting him as all of us strive to make that progress happen.
“Even in what I believe to be Wolvesā best decade in half a century, tough moments are inevitable. Success isnāt about avoiding challenges; itās about how we respond to them.
“Patience, resilience, and well-thought-out solutions have always been the foundation of Wolvesā progress.
“While emotions make football special, success in the game is largely a science.
“Emotional reactions may come first, but lasting success requires calculated, scientific solutions. Finding the right formula isnāt always easy, and it often takes time. But once itās discovered, results will follow.
“Itās human nature to fear losing something valuable, but I believe thereās a more positive way to view it. What we have now isnāt something we take for granted; instead, we treasure it and work tirelessly to protect it and nurture it.
“I believe in the power of positivity because negativity achieves nothing. Just as atoms remain atoms, how we perceive, combine, and connect them defines their collective value, and positive energy grants the group of atoms life and vitality.”
As mentioned, Wolves fans remain frustrated as chairman Jeff Shi speaks on Gary O’Neil, struggles and negativity…
@charlemagne_st: This isnāt going to be one of those statements where he tells us all that if weāre a supporter who wants to see a team win a game of football, then Wolves arenāt the team for you?
@JamesCooper_94: āIn July 2016, I met Kenny Jackett for the first time, just after our takeover, and he warned me that if there were not enough additions to the squad, we would probably be relegated. He was genuine and he was right in his concerns.ā He sacked him four days later š¤£š¤£
@richthewolf1: Propaganda piece from Shi, released as he knows the atmosphere is about to turn toxic and he will be the focal point of it going forward.
@AstleySam: So Jeff – Team really struggling, no investment, GON out of his depth, season ticket prices are through the roof, getting relegated, what’s your thoughts on that?
Jeff Shi : “Just think good vibes guys” ššš
@Gman2307: ‘Emotional reactions may come first, but lasting success requires calculated, scientific solutions.’…
so is all of this has been a scientific process?!
@mark_spruce: Canāt even be arsed to read his lies (as thatās all he does and thatās why they havenāt been able to replace OāNeill). Heās full of shit. Strange how this column comes out a couple of days before the next home game, what business model? They havenāt got a clue!
@PAC119: Jeff is kind of admitting that we’ve been in a rebuilding phase for 4 years, btw
@itsKyleHey:
“The power of positivity”
He’s right, im positive that we’re getting relegated
@ElHerder: Finally, communication from our esteemed leader….inspiring little fella ain’t he?! What an absolute whopper – amazing how far some people can get on very little competence but a knack of saying lots of words that mean nothing whatsoever š¤£
@Ianwwfc1970: It will turn toxic it’s about time Fosun and Shi had flack at the games. Our owners are liars. It’s beginning to be a chore dragging my but up to the home games. Enough is enough time to Fosun and Shi to get flack.
@callum_wwfc1: No one cares what that piece of shit has to say unless itās the words āIām resigningā
@michaelbwwfc: Haha this hasn’t helped him at all. Fosun out.
@steviep86: No substance, just a load of waffle!
@TheWonderOfTwo: Batten down the hatches! “Financially, Wolves operates under a model of prudent funding from its owners and is not yet fully self-sustainable – the investment comes when necessary and is based on business rationale.”The next 6 weeks will see how accurate this is #wwfc #wolves
@_KKWWFC:
āPower of Positivityā
Brother, weāre not The New Day; sign some players and go fuck yourself
@BellegardeSZN: He just waffles on and hasn’t a fucking clue
@Tunni90: Utter rubbish. A chairman that is about to get us relegated and magically thinks OāNeil will just turn it around. Deluded. Even said it took a new coach and investment in Jan 23 to turn that season aroundā¦ same needed this time Iām afraid! Stick with OāNeil and we go down #wwfc
@jameswestbrookr: Does Jeff think he ever endears himself to fans? This guy is absolutely apocalyptic at PR.
@AndyEvers1: Iāve never read more utter shite in all my life. Broke writes about 1000 words in all these ācolumnsā and all 1000 are completely meaningless every time. Bloke has 0 clue about football at all
@mwilli29363: He’s a puppet for fosun, they’re all liars , I won’t waste my time reading that shit , why don’t you ask him a proper question like when are they going to sell up
@ollywolves: Unless he knows something the rest of us doesnāt then the man is a complete Fool š¤”
https://t.co/JKP6lPw5hE pic.twitter.com/Z4WinFew1M
ā Manny Singh Kang (@pedalsingh) December 12, 2024
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