There’s rarely a dull moment at Molineux, and this week has proven no exception for Wolverhampton Wanderers fans. With the dust barely settled from their dramatic Premier League clash with Brighton, the club finds itself at the center of two major talking points: the future of star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen and the leadership situation on and off the pitch, all while head coach Vitor Pereira faces disciplinary action that could impact Wolves’ crucial relegation battles ahead.
Let’s start with the man of the moment, Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian forward has been the subject of mounting speculation ever since Wolves decisively rejected Newcastle United’s advances earlier in the year. According to a BBC Sport Q&A published on October 9, 2025, the club’s intention is crystal clear: keep Strand Larsen at Molineux for the long haul. After all, they didn’t just turn down Newcastle—they locked the striker down with a longer contract, safeguarding both his future and the club’s investment.
But as anyone who follows modern football knows, long-term plans can shift in a heartbeat. BBC Radio WM reporter Mike Taylor, speaking to fans in a Q&A, put it bluntly: “I’m sure plan A is to keep Strand Larsen around for the long term, but these things inevitably depend on events. By setting him up with a longer contract after rejecting Newcastle’s advances, Wolves not only made it worth his while staying, but protected his value as an asset going forward.”
That’s the reality of the transfer market. If Strand Larsen matches or even surpasses last season’s performance, big clubs will come knocking again—and Wolves will have to weigh their options. Taylor explained, “It is simply a fact of modern football life that if the striker performs as well this season as he did last, there will be interest from clubs prepared to pay. When that occurs, Wolves will again have to base their decision on the facts that present themselves at the time.”
For now, though, there’s no sign of restlessness from the player or the club. Strand Larsen’s professionalism has been praised, with Taylor noting, “Strand Larsen’s behaviour was described throughout as impeccably professional. I sense no wish from Wolves to sell, but it would be unrealistic to rule out such a situation occurring at some stage during his contract term.” So, for the time being, Wolves fans can breathe a little easier and focus on what’s happening on the pitch—though the transfer rumor mill never truly sleeps.
Speaking of the pitch, leadership has become a hot topic among supporters. With former captain Conor Coady’s indomitable presence still fresh in memory, questions abound about who is stepping up to fill that void. Taylor addressed this head-on, saying, “Wolves do have players who show all the personal qualities you mention—Joao Gomes perhaps the most demonstrative example—and my view is that, whatever the team’s other failings, it is not short of hard workers.”
Yet, the kind of vocal, on-field leadership that Coady embodied seems harder to find. “It is also possible to lead by example, without being quite as vocal as Coady was, but his qualities as a leader were not just defined by the volume of his voice. There was something about his manner that marked him out as a leader long before he was given the armband,” Taylor reflected.
Current head coach Vitor Pereira, who took the reins ahead of the 2025-2026 season, tried to address this by naming a leadership group: Joao Gomes, Toti, Matt Doherty, and Jose Sa. “I am sure they have the respect of their colleagues, although probably only Gomes is currently assured of a regular starting place,” Taylor observed. Still, none of them have yet managed to command the team quite like Coady—or even other recent captains such as Danny Batth or Max Kilman. “From a distance, Ladislav Krejci seems to be an organiser as well as a fine player, so perhaps he will become that leader in time,” Taylor suggested, hinting at a possible future solution to Wolves’ leadership question.
But leadership isn’t just about personalities in the dressing room; it’s also about the man on the touchline. Unfortunately, Vitor Pereira’s own leadership has been thrown into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In their recent Premier League outing against Brighton, Pereira was sent off in the 19th minute for what the FA has called “improper conduct”—specifically, for aggressively kicking a ball towards the dugout. The incident, which followed a tense match that ended in heartbreak thanks to Jan Paul van Hecke’s late equalizer, left Wolves fans and pundits alike wondering whether their head coach would be present for the critical fixtures ahead.
The FA wasted no time in charging Pereira, who now has until Monday, October 13, 2025, to respond. According to an official statement, “It’s alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner around the 19th minute, which led to his dismissal, and he has until Monday 13 October to provide a response.” Assistant Luis Miguel issued an apology on Pereira’s behalf, suggesting that the coach acknowledges his lapse in judgment—a move that could help his case when the FA decides on a punishment.
So, what’s the likely outcome? A touchline ban is the standard for such infractions, but there’s precedent for a more lenient approach. Back in 2022, Jurgen Klopp was fined £30,000 for a similar offense and avoided a suspension altogether. With Wolves facing crucial relegation showdowns against Sunderland and Burnley, every supporter is hoping for a similar outcome. As the Molineux News noted, “Wolves have crucial relegation matches upcoming against Sunderland and Burnley, making Pereira’s presence important.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. The Wanderers have shown promise, especially when deploying a back four—a tactical switch that caught the eye of pundits like Joe Hart. But after the late heartbreak against Brighton, there’s no denying the team needs every ounce of leadership it can muster, both on the field and from the technical area. Conor Coady, now watching from afar, voiced concerns about what he saw from the current crop of Wolves players, underlining just how much is at stake in these coming weeks.
What happens next? All eyes are on Vitor Pereira and the FA’s impending decision. If the Portuguese coach is allowed to remain on the sideline, his experience and tactical acumen could prove decisive in Wolves’ fight to avoid the drop. If not, the leadership group and emerging talents like Ladislav Krejci will need to step up—fast.
For now, Wolves fans wait anxiously for news on their coach’s fate, hopeful that stability can be restored just in time for the most pivotal stretch of their season. The future of Strand Larsen, the emergence of a new on-field leader, and the outcome of the FA’s charge against Pereira will all shape the narrative at Molineux in the weeks to come.
