Shi gives O'Neil his backing but results must improve

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has backed under-fire manager Gary O'Neil but admitted it is "essential" that results improve.

The head coach has been under increasing pressure following two wins from the opening 15 games.

Three straight defeats looked to have put him on the brink but Wolves are standing by the 41-year-old ahead of Saturday's visit of fellow strugglers Ipswich.

"I remain grateful to Gary for stepping into such a demanding situation just days before the beginning of a new season [when he replaced Julen Lopetegui in August 2023], and for his commitment to the club every day since then," Shi wrote in his Wolverhampton Express & Star column.

"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."

Wolves are second bottom of the Premier League but would move three points above Ipswich with a win and would be just a point behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace, who go to Brighton on Sunday.

"Since Fosun's ownership began in 2016, Wolves have seen incredible highs and endured tough lows," continued Shi. "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.

"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."