‘Wolves have just made big U-turn – I’ve complained to the authorities’
Wolves have confirmed a recruitment shake-up in recent days with sporting director Matt Hobbs leaving the club by mutual consent.
It was previously reported by the BBC (4 June) that the Molineux side are in talks with former Sampdoria technical director Domenico Teti – and he could now replace Hobbs at the top of the club’s transfer team.
Hobbs’ departure comes after Wolves lurched back towards their relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes, with manager Vitor Pereira a client of his.
Mendes and his agency Gestifute have previously facilitated moves for stars like Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota to Wolves.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed he is putting “big flashing lights out there” about his renewed influence at the Midlands club.
‘I’m going to be watching Wolves like a hawk’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed he previously complained to the EFL about Mendes’ influence at Wolves when he was CEO at Aston Villa.
The relationship is controversial as Wolves owners Fosun have a stake in Mendes’ Gestifute agency.
Wolves finished 16th in the Premier League last term after dumping Gary O’Neil for Pereira mid-season.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think getting rid of Hobbs is giving more power to Pereira.
“When I was at Villa, I actually complained to the EFL about Jorge Mendes and his control over Wolves at the time.
“What I’m seeing here, with Hobbs leaving, is Mendes coming back into the picture.
“The new sporting director, coming in from Sampdoria, is a Mendes acolyte.
“I’m putting big flashing lights out there about the control Mendes and his agency are going to have at Wolves yet again.
“Shi has tried to move away from that influence, but I think they’re going right back into that model.
“I’m going to be watching them like a hawk.”
Wolves in Coufal race
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (11 June) that Everton, Wolves and Fulham are eyeing moves for former West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal on a free transfer.
Newly promoted trio Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are also monitoring the Czech Republic international’s situation.
Coufal, 32, is a free agent this summer after leaving West Ham upon the expiration of his contract.
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