Gary O'Neil has been sacked by Wolves after their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich ended in ugly scenes at Molineux, leaving the team winless in four games, four points from safety.
In Saturday's clash, Wolves pulled a goal back after the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes through a Matt Doherty own goal, only to concede late on when Jack Clarke's corner was converted with ease by teammate Jack Taylor.
Both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha were involved in full-time scuffles, with the former being dragged through the tunnel after being restrained by Craig Dawson, with the atmosphere already toxic after fans chanted against chairman Jeff Shi and Fosun's owners.
Mail Sport understands that the defeat was seen as a new low by the referees and that post-match issues, similar to those following a defeat at West Ham, played a role in the decision.
The view from within is that a change now is the best course of action as they look to turn around a disappointing season.
In a short statement on Sunday, Shi said: 'We are very grateful to Gary for all his commitment, dedication and hard work during his time at the club, and we wish him and his team every success for the future. '
At the start of the week, Wolves were defeated at 'El Sackio' after failing to beat fellow struggling West Ham, as Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed three points for Julen Lopetegui's Hammers.
After Monday night's 2-1 defeat at West Ham, O'Neil said: 'This season has proven to be a huge struggle though and after the 2-1 defeat at West Ham he said: 'I'm not worried. [about my position].
“When this journey with Wolves ends, I will be proud. I'm really proud of the group and everything they have given me. I can only ask them to give the best of themselves.
'We don't give up and we keep going.'
Recent results have left Wolves with nine points from sixteen games, and they sit nineteenth in the Premier League, four points behind seventeenth-placed Crystal Palace.
O'Neil has been shown the door by Wolves after just two wins this season. Despite problems at the end of the previous term, he was given a four-year contract on the eve of this campaign.
Even though Wolves managed to claim wins over Southampton and Fulham in November, and draws with Brighton and Crystal Palace, it was not enough to save O'Neil.
The humiliating 4-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Everton earlier this month angered fans, with supporters chanting for him to be sacked.
Chairman Shi and sporting director Matt Hobbs were not convinced he could improve performance enough to keep Wolves in the top flight.
Mail Sport understands that the hierarchy have been actively looking at replacements since before the November international break and it is believed that tentative talks have been held with Graham Potter, although these have made no progress.
Although O'Neil and his staff received improved contracts, the compensation package is believed to be about the same as it would have been under the original three-year deal he signed when he replaced Julen Lopetegui in August 2023.
After the hammering at Goodison Park, O'Neil said: 'Whatever the fans think of me, there is absolutely no one who works harder than me and I will continue to do so until someone tells me not to.'
Wolves' form suffered a serious dip in the second half of last season due to an injury crisis and captain Max Kilman was sold to West Ham in the summer, while Pedro Neto – the club's best attacking player – moved to Chelsea.
That turnover generated around £100 million, but Wolves failed to sign O'Neil's desired Premier League-quality centre-back and Neto's effective replacement, Rodrigo Gomes, is not considered ready by O'Neil to start regularly.
There was also great disagreement within the squad: goalkeeper Jose Sa filmed fights with home fans in Bournemouth in early December, and Mario Lemina was stripped of the captaincy after a fight with Jarrod Bowen at the London Stadium.
The club are looking to invest in January to improve the squad, especially in defence, as Wolves have conceded a whopping 38 goals in the league.
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