Liam Keen comment: Wolves must win back fans' trust to have any hope of miraculous survival

The recruitment process for a new head coach is ongoing following Vitor Pereira's sacking, while the club must also find another solution behind the scenes now that director of professional football - essentially the sporting director - Domenico Teti left by mutual consent.

It is fair to say that the club is at a crossroads. Fractured at the top, lacking a long-term vision and, in the short-term, bottom of the Premier League with no wins from 10 games and eight points from safety.

It is no wonder that the supporters have aired their frustration and the rift between the fans, club hierarchy and players may be the biggest we have seen for some time.

A new head coach will be appointed soon and that person has two big tasks on their hands.

Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, they need to make Wolves competitive. Although the squad is poor, unbalanced and lacking in some areas, there are some talented players in there.

It is certainly possible for a new boss to make Wolves hard to beat and competitive in the Premier League. The challenge is then to turn that results.

Although surviving this season will take a miracle, to some extent, it is still possible and must be the target.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the new manager must take the fans with them for the ride.

The relationship between the fans and the hierarchy may not be repairable, but the new boss will have a clean slate and must inspire the supporters, say the right things, make logical decisions and restore some pride in Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Having those fans back behind the team will go a long way to any survival attempt - just look at how Pereira was able to harness their influence almost a year ago.

Despite his flaws and mistakes this season, he will be remembered for helping keep the club in the top flight, his six-game winning run and the relationship he built with the fans with his famous 'first he points, then the pints' slogan.

Molineux is a difficult place to play when it is at it's best, as we saw under Pereira last season, but it has been far from that for some time.

The atmosphere has been lacking and that impacts the team. But why should fans get behind a product on the pitch that has been so bad?

Results and performance are the two biggest elements that can change that and the incoming gaffer has to make that one of his priorities.

It is difficult to write this, too, but it is a reality - the new head coach will need the fans on board if they remain in situ for the real possibility that Wolves are relegated to the Championship. Any chance of bouncing back under the same manager will be dependent on that connection.

Gary O'Neil was set for a remarkable return to the hot seat, having put in work on his backroom team and negotiated personal terms, until he had a change of heart.

The fans' reaction to the very likely scenario of his return (although the club did continue to speak to other candidates at the same time) was one of intense anger and scrutiny and many feel that could have played a part in O'Neil's ultimate decision, but it is understood he actually had reservations about the club's structure and direction. The fact he turned it down says a lot.

Wolves will make a decision on Pereira's successor fairly soon, but the ongoing process and apparent lack of plan speaks to the difficulties behind the scenes.

Whoever it is that takes over, January will likely be important again.

The winter transfer window has been Wolves' safe haven in recent years, with increased investment helping to cover over the cracks of the summer's mistakes and, ultimately, keep Wolves in the league.

Wolves will once again enter this period with a new head coach, but also with a new sporting director or associated title if someone is appointed in time.

The club must, as soon as possible, put together a coherent plan for January that is led by statistics and the people employed to fine tune recruitment.

Any overreliance on Jorge Mendes and his Gestifute agency - particularly if Teti is not replaced in time - could be a disaster.

Using him is of course wise and he has delivered some good players in the past, but it must be an option, not the only solution.

Wolves must get it right if they have any hope of staying up.