Five things fans learned from Jeff Shi's interview

Mike Taylor,BBC Radio WM and
Oprah Flash,West Midlands
News imageBBC Jeff Shi is wearing a white shirt and grey blazer and looking directly at the cameraBBC
Executive chairman Jeff Shi sat down with BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor for an exclusive interview

The Wolverhampton Wanderers executive chairman has said he has long term plans to turn the club around.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Radio WM, Jeff Shi and technical director Matt Jackson addressed the club's strained relationship with fans.

Wolves' winless start is just two matches short of the Premier League record of 17 games set by Sheffield United in 2020-21. They are currently bottom of the table with two points.

Several supporters' groups organised a boycott of the opening 15 minutes of Monday's 4-1 defeat by Manchester United at Molineux to protest.

News imageGetty Images Wolverhampton Wanderers' goalkeeper Sam Johnstone punches clear during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 8, 2025Getty Images
Shi has admitted the club sold too many players this season

Here are the main highlights from the hour-long exclusive interview which can be found on BBC Sounds.

Financially sound

Bosses have been "cautious and conservative" with finances so the club is primed and ready to handle the brunt if the team is relegated, the chairman said.

He issued assurances there would be no need for redundancies in the way seen at many other relegated clubs.

"When we talk about the long-term future for the club, financially we're okay," he said.

"We don't gamble, we never gamble and we know our limitations."

'We sold too many players'

Discussing recent recruitment, Jackson admitted Wolves got their transfer business "wrong" in the summer.

Shi agreed mistakes had been made with the pace of transfers.

"The tempo this year, I feel maybe we sold too many players in one window.

"In comparison with the last season, we changed 40 or 50% of key players.

"It's a task to rebuild a team but the premier league is very tough so if you can't control the tempo and you need a longer time to rebuild the team, the games will punish you."

He attributed it to the competition of the season that led to the mismanagement of recruitment.

News imageReuters Wolverhampton Wanderers fan display a protest banner against chairman Jeff Shi in the stands during the matchReuters
During Monday's match, fans called for the chairman to step down

Repairing relationship with fans

As fan protests look set to continue, the club boss has said he wants to repair the strained relationship but also challenge falsehoods and rumours on social media.

"Why I'm speaking with the fans in person now is because it's the only channel we can be sincere – honest, face to face – to check, do you have any questions, do you want some answers, because I want the conversation to be based around facts first," Shi said.

He added: "Because now, too many different rumours, or fake news in the media, I don't know how to correct them."

Owners not selling club

Fosun International has owned Wolves since 2016, overseeing their return to the Premier League in 2018 and run to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020, but has been accused of supervising a managed decline.

The Chinese investment group is looking for minority investment and is not actively looking to sell the club.

In a bid to reinstall confidence amongst fans in the core management team, Shi insisted that "they care a lot."

He said: "The owner [Guo Guangchang] watches every game, even at 3am in China."

Commitment to Wolves Women

News imageGetty Images Beth Merrick of Wolverhampton Wanderers Women celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the FAWNL North Premier Division match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Loughborough Lightning at New Bucks Head Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Telford, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images)Getty Images
Bosses says they are looking forward to boosting the Wolves Women's promotion next year

In April players from Wolves Women said their promotion push was "all for nothing" as the club had already decided not to apply to compete in the Women's Championship.

Now, the club has said it is committed to supporting the team.

Matt Jackson said: "Our letter of intent went in very recently to say we'll back the promotion bid.

"Their development has been outstanding.

"There is a proper joined up support for them now and we look forward to really boosting their promotion bid in the New Year, hoping that they will become a full-time model next year and their progress will match other areas of the football club."

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Related internet links