Wolves owner Jeff Shi has publicly backed the embattled boss, saying the club is ‘united’ in his support

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has publicly backed manager Gary O’Neil, claiming the club is “united” in backing the under-pressure boss.

The Midlands club are 19th in the Premier League after winning just two of their 15 league games this season and losing each of their last three against Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham.

Monday’s 2-1 loss at the London Stadium led many to assume the worst for O’Neil as fans began to turn against the 41-year-old, but Shi insists club chiefs are still behind him.

Writing in his column for Express and Starhe said: “I don’t need to introduce the fans to what happened next in the summer of 2023, they all know that.

But because of this, the fates of Gary O’Neil and Wolves met at an unexpected moment, and I am grateful to Gary for stepping into such a demanding situation just days before the start of the new season and for his commitment to the club every day since.

“While he knows that a rapid improvement in our results is crucial for everyone connected with the football club, we are united in his support as we all strive to make that progress.

“Even in what I believe is Wolves’ best decade in half a century, difficult moments are inevitable. Success is not avoiding challenges; it’s about how we respond to them.”

Fans have also criticized Wolves’ ownership group Fosun after selling key stars such as Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Max Kilman and for a lack of reinvestment in the team.

But Shi jumped to the defense of the club’s hierarchy, insisting Fosun’s ownership coincided with one of the most successful in the club’s history.

He added: “I firmly believe that we are living through one of the most successful and successful periods in the club’s history.

“Over the past nine years, since Fosun’s ownership began in 2016, Wolves have seen incredible highs and endured tough lows.

“Throughout this time, success or failure has never come down to one individual – it’s always been about the collective.

“Football, at its core, is a team sport, and that principle extends beyond the field. The owners are part of the team, of course, as are the fans. It is not reasonable to attribute victories only to those on the field or to blame frustrations entirely on those working behind the scenes, or vice versa.

“We share successes and challenges equally. Business sense plays a key role in all our decisions and our strategy and operations are constantly evolving to adapt to the ever-changing football industry and global landscape.”