Premier League's Second-to-Last: Chinese Owners Seek Rescue by Turning to Super Agent for January Spending Spree

Wolves are in crisis. The club, which has long been a fixture of Premier League football, is struggling to stay afloat in England’s top division. After a devastating 1-2 loss to Ipswich in the FA Cup on December 16, Wolves have now gone four consecutive league matches without a win, leaving them languishing in second-to-last place. With only nine points from 16 Premier League matches, the team is staring relegation squarely in the face. The situation is critical, and the club’s Chinese owners, under the Fosun International group, are taking drastic measures to address their plummeting fortunes.

Wolves’ plight has led to the firing of head coach Gary O'Neil, who, despite overseeing a handful of positive moments earlier in the season, has been unable to turn the tide. Now, the club is desperately searching for a new managerial solution to stabilize the team and give them a fighting chance of survival. However, as reports suggest, the first step to salvaging Wolves’ season is likely to involve the return of one of the most powerful figures in world football—the super agent Jorge Mendes.

The Power of Jorge Mendes and His Influence Over Wolves

Since the Fosun group purchased Wolves in 2016, Mendes has been a pivotal figure behind the scenes. As one of the most influential agents in the sport, Mendes has often been involved in player transfers, managerial appointments, and other crucial decisions at the club. His relationship with Fosun has been symbiotic, with the super-agent bringing in high-profile talent and resources to help the club navigate the highly competitive Premier League.

In recent years, however, Wolves had been attempting to distance themselves from Mendes' influence. The club made efforts to create a more independent strategy, with a focus on developing homegrown talent and not relying too heavily on Mendes' clients. Yet, as the current season has unfolded with disastrous results, it seems that the club’s leadership is now forced to confront the reality of their situation: they are in desperate need of outside help, and Mendes is once again the key figure who could provide it.

The Athletic reported that Fosun, realizing that Wolves’ Premier League survival is under serious threat, has reached out to Mendes for assistance. The agent’s involvement could prove crucial in identifying a new manager and, more importantly, facilitating a much-needed influx of talent into the squad.

The Appointment of Vítor Pereira: A Sign of Mendes' Influence

In what is seen as a strategic move by the club, Wolves are reportedly set to appoint Vítor Pereira as their new manager. The 56-year-old Portuguese coach is no stranger to Chinese football fans, having managed Shanghai Port (formerly Shanghai SIPG) between 2012 and 2020, where he led the team to a Chinese Super League title. After leaving China, Pereira managed top-tier clubs in Turkey, Brazil, and more recently, he took the reins at Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

Pereira is a well-regarded coach, but what makes his appointment notable is his connection to Mendes. Pereira is one of Mendes’ clients, and the agent has long been involved in the Portuguese coach’s career. It was Mendes who initially recommended Pereira to Fosun when the group first took over Wolves in 2016, though the club opted for other managerial candidates at the time. Now, with the team in dire straits, Fosun is reportedly turning to Mendes for both his managerial insight and the recruitment of key players.

For Wolves fans, this move signals a return to the status quo, with Mendes at the heart of the club’s decision-making. While the club's leadership may not be entirely comfortable with the idea of relying on Mendes again, the reality is that they have few other options if they are to avoid relegation.

The Struggles of Gary O'Neil and the Club's Failure to Invest

Under Gary O'Neil, Wolves started the season with some promise, but it soon became clear that the manager was working under significant constraints. O'Neil had been hoping for reinforcements, particularly a striker to bolster the squad, but the club’s management did not back him in the transfer market. This lack of investment left the team underprepared for the challenges of a Premier League season. As injuries to key players like Neto, Hwang Hee-chan, and Matheus Cunha piled up, Wolves found themselves sinking deeper into trouble.

Despite this, O'Neil managed to secure a mid-table finish last season, but this campaign has been a different story altogether. The team has struggled against some of the league’s top sides—such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Liverpool—leading to their current position near the relegation zone. The club’s failure to sign a quality center-back and winger during the summer transfer window further highlighted their lack of ambition, and the team’s reliance on younger, unproven players only added to their woes.

The Athletic also reported that despite the managerial change and the push for reinforcements, Wolves are not ready to commit to spending large sums of money. Fosun’s aim is to make the club financially self-sustaining, but with relegation a real possibility, the club may have no choice but to dip into the market during the January transfer window.

The January Transfer Window: Wolves' Last Chance to Reinforce

Wolves are looking to make significant moves in the January transfer window. According to reports, the club will target a central defender to strengthen their backline, and with Mendes’ influence, the club may be able to secure some valuable reinforcements. While Wolves are unlikely to spend recklessly, they understand that securing the survival of the team will require a fresh influx of talent.

In January 2023, when the club hired Julen Lopetegui as manager, Mendes was deeply involved, and the team spent over £100 million on new signings, including Matheus Cunha, Mario Lemina, Craig Dawson, and Joao Gomes. These signings helped Wolves survive relegation, but this time, the stakes are higher, and the team’s squad depth is even more critical.

For Wolves, the next few months are crucial. With Pereira taking over as manager, the hope is that his tactical acumen and experience in managing high-pressure situations will be enough to guide the team to safety. However, without significant reinforcements, survival remains a tough task. The club’s leadership has already acknowledged that they need to invest in January, but how much they are willing to spend remains uncertain.

The Importance of Mendes' Role

Once again, Jorge Mendes is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Wolves. As a super agent with extensive connections in European football, Mendes can facilitate transfers and help bring in experienced players who can make an immediate impact. Given the current crisis, his involvement may be the key to securing the players Wolves need to survive in the Premier League.

In summary, the Chinese owners of Wolves have found themselves in a difficult position, and once again, Jorge Mendes is being called upon to help guide the club through a turbulent period. The appointment of Vítor Pereira as head coach is just the beginning of a critical few months ahead. Wolves must act quickly and decisively in the January transfer window to bring in reinforcements, and Mendes' influence could be crucial in making that happen. The club’s survival depends on it.