Wolves fans tell Crystal Palace what they can expect from new Sporting Director Matt Hobbs

Add as preferred source on Google

Crystal Palace are close to hiring Matt Hobbs as a replacement for Dougie Freedman.

The 45-year-old left his role as Sporting Director at Wolves back in June by mutual consent, but is now set to join a Premier League rival in Crystal Palace.

A story from the Telegraph even states that Hobbs has already started work at Selhurst Park and is expected to have an involvement in any new signings made before the September 1st deadline.

Wolves fans have now told Crystal Palace what they can expect from the Englishman, and the comments are largely positive.

Wolves fans deliver encouraging verdict on Matt Hobbs for Crystal Palace

The general consensus is that Hobbs has a real eye for talent, but was restricted working under Jeff Shi at Molineux.

There is also some criticism over his decision to hand Gary O’Neil a four-year contract back in August 2024, only for Wolves to sack the man born in Beckenham months later in December 2024.

One Wolves fan wrote on X (previously known as Twitter): “He’s brilliant, passionate, really likeable bloke who is a fantastic recruiter, which is ultimately his job. Wolves fans are forgetting they were over the moon when O’Neil signed that extension, they are also forgetting how much O’Neil needed reinforcements that Fosun (owners) refused.”

Another commented: “Good bloke. Recruitment of players excellent generally (good South American connections) recruitment of coaches not so great. will flourish with more support from the owners than he got here.”

Evidently, Wolves fans feel Hobbs is capable of more than he showed at Molineux, should Crystal Palace represent a more supportive environment.

A third Wolves supporter added: “Probably over-promoted as a talent spotter into a role where he had to handle some problematic politics within the club, but certainly capable of identifying talent. Max Kilman was his headline work really. Probably capable of more than he showed at Wolves due to hierarchy.”

Another wrote: “He did well with limited resources here. Made some amazing signings for us but was also (inexperienced) when giving GON (Gary O’Neil) a new deal but it happens. Club in a worse spot without him imo (in my opinion).”

Interestingly, a fifth Wolves fan referenced Hobbs signing Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace for £10m as one of his worst moves, posting: “Two biggest mistakes were extending (O’Neil) contract and buying the keeper from you guys. Other than that – did a good job in South America getting decent players in.

“Difficult situation working for Jeff Shi.”

TBR Football were told Lee Dykes of Brentford was also an option for Crystal Palace after Freedman left for Saudi Arabia in March.

Notable signings made by Matt Hobbs at Wolves

Freedman is a tough act to follow for Hobbs, seeing as the Glaswegian found some real bargains in the market such as Daniel Munoz for a £6.9m fee, Michael Olise for £8m, Eberechi Eze for £19m, Ismaila Sarr for £12.7m and Adam Wharton for £18m – to name just a few.

However, Hobbs has a decent haul of his own.

He signed Jorgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo for a sum of £23m – and the Norway international impressed with 14 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season.

TBR Football understand Newcastle are even considering Larsen as Alexander Isak pushes to leave.

Furthermore, the signings of Andre and Joao Gomes for £18.5m and £15m respectively are arguably the crowning moment of Hobbs’ time at Wolves, as his connections in South America began to reap rewards.

Hobbs also proved he can oversee a more expensive deal, spending £44m to sign Matheus Cunha from RB Leipzig in January 2022 – an astute move which eventually landed Wolves almost £20m in profit when Manchester United spent £63m to sign the Brazil international this summer.

Evidently, this could prove to be a shrewd appointment by Steve Parish at Selhurst Park.