NafisaHobbs, who has served Wolves for a decade in various capacities, will exit by mutual agreement as the club undergoes a behind-the-scenes reshuffle.
The direction of the sporting director position at Wolves remains unclear, amid reports suggesting head coach Vitor Pereira could play a larger part in player recruitment.
Pereira’s representative is Jorge Mendes and the Gestifute agency, with whom Wolves chairman Jeff Shi and the club have maintained a long-standing association.
Wolves had previously distanced themselves from an over-dependence on signing Gestifute clients, but it is now believed they are preparing to engage with them more extensively this summer.
The team is expected to undergo substantial changes over the coming months following Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United and the anticipated transfer of Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City.
It is anticipated that head of professional football development Matt Jackson will assume additional duties with Hobbs poised to depart, although it is believed Wolves are still ironing out their restructuring plans.
Once those are settled, a formal announcement is expected.
Head coach Vitor Pereira will now exert greater influence over transfer decisions. The club intends to leverage Pereira’s network, particularly through the Portuguese agency Gestifute.
This shift will likely influence the profile of players added to the squad in the coming transfer window. Wolves are aiming to make strategic additions using the funds generated through player exits like Cunha and Ait-Nouri.
Although some supporters might be concerned about the implications of these changes, the club’s owners, Fosun, are said to remain dedicated to strengthening the squad.
Chairman Jeff Shi wants to build on Pereira’s efforts and steer the club in a fresh direction. A key part of this strategy will involve Gestifute’s Valdir Cardoso, who will work to enhance the squad and lift the club after a difficult season.
Within this new framework, Matt Jackson will take on a broader role. His responsibilities as head of professional football development will now include overseeing transfer dealings, both in and out. The sporting director post will be reshaped into a head of recruitment position, though it’s not yet confirmed whether Hobbs will transition into that role.
Hobbs follows other recent sporting directors who have witnessed major shifts in structure. While he was involved in several player transactions, Jackson is now set to take over these critical duties. Wolves’ challenge will lie in the calibre of their new acquisitions and how effectively these influence their trajectory in the Premier League.
What’s evident is that Wolves are entering a new phase as they redefine their ambitions on and off the pitch.
Nafisa
