WOLVES ON THE PROWL AGAIN
Decades after they dominated English football...
THE skies over Molineux are bleak but inside the ground John Hendley is describing why the future is bright for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The club historian and programme editor has been a fan since 1964, and for the first time he can envisage a return to the golden days when Wolves won league titles and blazed a trail in Europe.
‘When you talk to older supporters you get the sense that the flavour of those years is here again,’ Hendley says. ‘In local pubs it used to be what I call “we” and “they”. “We were tremendous” or “They were rubbish”. Now a lot of people are coming up to me saying, “We are going to do it this year!”’
Tonight, Wolves find inspiration in the shape of Manchester City, a club at the peak of their powers after a transformative takeover. Wolves are just beginning their journey under Fosun, a Chinese conglomerate who took ownership last year, but the signs are there.
Fosun’s millions, invested through the advice and connections of super-agent Jorge Mendes, have brought to the club a coaching and playing staff with Champions League experience.
At the Etihad, in the Carabao Cup fourth round, it is top of the Premier League against top of the Championship and comparisons have been made.
‘We are being described by some jealous opponents as a poor man’s Manchester City,’ says John Lalley, a 64-year-old supporter. ‘But I haven’t heard anybody there complaining about Sheik Mansour. And you won’t find me complaining about Fosun.’
A relationship that began dys- functionally — with Kenny Jackett, Walter Zenga, and Paul Lambert all sacked within a year — has synced this season under the guidance of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who turned down offers from the Champions League to move to the Black Country.
Santo bought into the project described by Mendes, his friend of 20 years, and has knitted together a team from diverse sources, including winger Diogo Jota, signed on loan from Atletico Madrid; Ruben Neves, the club’s £15.8m record signing from Porto; and Danny Batth, who at 27 has been at Wolves his entire career.
Playing a system of three central defenders, two marauding wingbacks, and a fluid front three, Santo’s team have enlivened Molineux. The crowd of 30,239 for the recent 2-0 win over Aston Villa was the club’s largest since 1981.
Steve Bull, who has a stand named in his honour, chuckles at the change. ‘Last year and before my phone was quiet,’ he says. ‘Now it is like the Batphone, red hot with people wanting tickets. We haven’t had this type of football before. It takes time to build a side. They are excelling themselves.’
For all their international connections Fosun are keeping links to the club’s history. Steve Daley played for Wolves through their run to the 1972 UEFA Cup final and is now a stadium announcer. Jody Craddock, veteran of the club’s four Premier League seasons, has become an artist and is painting programme covers.
It is indisputable though that without the influence of Mendes, Wolves would have a different look. The agent to Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho remains close counsel for club chairman Jeff Shi, and his agency Gestifute have been involved in almost half of 25 incoming transfers across the last three windows.
Supporters will not care if it means flowing football and topflight status for the first time since 2012. Shi has moved from China to Wolverhampton with his wife and family to increase the sense of stability. Almost all the players from Portugal, Spain, and wherever else live within a 10-minute drive of the club’s training ground.
Santo’s work cannot be underestimated, unafraid to introduce the type of football from his previous clubs Valencia and Porto, while maintaining a happy squad in spite of vast variance in wages — Neves is thought to be on £45,000 per week while central defender Conor Coady earns £8,000.
Bull is ebullient. ‘I am like a supporter. I go to the games, and pay my own way when away, on the bus with the lads. I love it.’
Those travelling to the Etihad tonight will feel the same, given a glimpse of what might be possible in Manchester. Fosun’s board is made up of billionaires to collectively surpass the wealth of Roman Abramovich. Bull says: ‘I think they are going to take this club to a different level.’