Under mounting pressure from fans and a challenging Premier League campaign, Wolverhampton Wanderers executive chairman Jeff Shi has officially stepped down from his operational role at the club. The 48-year-old leaves after nearly a decade at Molineux, though he will continue as chairman and CEO of Fosun Sports Group, the club’s owners, without any day-to-day responsibilities with Wolves.

Interim Leadership: Nathan Shi Takes Charge

For the interim period, Wolves have appointed Nathan Shi—no relation to Jeff Shi—as acting executive chairman. Nathan Shi has been part of Fosun’s football operations since 2016 and pledged to work closely with stakeholders to stabilize the club.

“At this important and challenging moment, I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to build a stronger future and to help Wolves reach new heights,” Nathan Shi said.

Jeff Shi Reflects on Ten Years at Wolves

Jeff Shi spoke of his gratitude and pride in his tenure:

“I took the keys to this chair with humility. Today, I step aside with a heart full of gratitude. It has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside our leadership team, players, coaches, staff and – above all – our fans.”

During his time at Wolves, Shi oversaw the club’s rise from the Championship to the Premier League in 2018, with Nuno Espirito Santo leading Wolves to two consecutive seventh-place finishes. The club also reached the FA Cup semi-final in 2019 and the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020, marking some of the most successful periods in recent Wolves history.

Premier League Struggles Lead to Fan Frustration

Despite past achievements, Wolves currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League, with just two points from 16 games. Long-term frustrations among supporters boiled over, with thousands boycotting the opening 15 minutes of the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United on 8 December.

Shi acknowledged fan frustration and reflected on the challenges of squad management:

“Maybe we sold too many players in one window. You can see the squad and compare it to last season, maybe we changed 40 or 50% of the key players. It’s a task to rebuild a team, but the Premier League is very tough.”

Fans have repeatedly criticised Shi for overseeing what they perceived as a “managed decline” under Fosun’s ownership, contributing to a divided atmosphere at Molineux.

Looking Ahead: Wolves Face Brentford

Wolves host Brentford on Saturday, seeking to avoid equalling the Premier League’s longest opening winless streak, set by Sheffield United in 2020-21 with 17 games. While Shi’s departure may bring a momentary morale boost, supporters will be looking for long-term structural changes to address the club’s ongoing struggles.

Critics have noted that replacing Jeff Shi with Nathan Shi—another Fosun executive—may not satisfy calls for more radical change, as the role was not advertised externally. Nevertheless, supporters hope this marks the beginning of a fresh start for Wolves.

Legacy of Jeff Shi

While his final years at Wolves were turbulent, Shi leaves behind a mixed legacy. He played a pivotal role in elevating Wolves to the Premier League and expanding the club’s global profile. However, the recent poor form and fan protests have overshadowed some of these achievements, leaving the club at a crossroads as it battles to remain in England’s top flight.