It’s been a rollercoaster decade for Wolves and sometimes fans like to reminisce on the past when success began to flood in at Molineux.
Although there were no trophies to show for it, aside from the Championship title in 2018, Wolves enjoyed an incredible era under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo.
Wolves qualified for the Europa League in 2019, and then again in 2020, as the Portuguese boss became an icon in Wolverhampton along with a raft of players.
Ruben Neves rose to prominence as arguably their greatest midfielder in the modern era while Raul Jimenez became Wolves Premier League top scorer.
But while those players and many more contributed to their rise up the table, the years that preceded their ascent were difficult, as epitomised by one failed transfer.
Jamie O’Hara refused to play for Wolves in 2012
When Wolves captured Jamie O’Hara from Tottenham in the summer of 2011, hardly anyone saw it as a bad deal.
O’Hara had enjoyed a brilliant stint on loan at Molineux, scoring three goals in 13 top-flight appearances, including a strike against Blackburn Rovers on the final day to keep Wolves in the Premier League.
But just as he was building a rapport with the supporters for helping the Wanderers survive relegation, his reputation quickly plummeted to zero.
Unfortunately, the Englishman let the celebrity lifestyle go to his head, causing arguments with supporters and creating a toxic rift between him and the fanbase.
In 2012, during Terry Connor’s brief tenure in charge, O’Hara refused to play under the manager and instead opted for surgery when the club needed him most.
The former Spurs midfielder watched on from the sidelines as his side sunk into the Championship, eventually seeing his contract get ripped up in 2014 after making just 23 more appearances.
O’Hara is now understandably hated by most of the fanbase, and nothing will repair that relationship after he bled the club dry.
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What O’Hara said after exiting Wolves
When speaking to the media after his exit from the club in 2014, he didn’t take accountability for his actions to explain why he was left out of the squad, and instead revealed how it impacted him financially.
“I just want to go on record to say that as I leave Wolves, I do so with some sadness but also with huge optimism for the future,” O’Hara said via Sky Sports.
“I came to the club with big dreams and a huge desire to do well and for varying reasons, some of which fall firmly and squarely on my shoulders, it didn’t work out as I had planned.
“Being frozen out of the squad put a lot of strain on me so even with two years left on my contract, I decided to walk away in order to start afresh and rebuild my career. It is a risk worth taking because all I’ve ever wanted to do was to be a successful footballer.”
Well, after being granted his wish to pursue his career elsewhere, he went on to feature for Blackpool, Fulham, Gillingham and lastly, Non League side Billericay Town.
O’Hara didn’t tear up any trees after leaving, but ultimately, it was mentality and fitness levels that held him back and not his footballing ability.