Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a significant leadership change as head coach Gary O’Neil confirmed that Mario Lemina is no longer the team captain.

The armband will now be worn by Portuguese defender Nelson Semedo, marking a pivotal decision ahead of Wolves’ Premier League clash against Ipswich Town.

The timing of the announcement is striking, as Ipswich remains the only Premier League club with an African captain, Egyptian Sam Morsy, following Lemina’s removal.

Explaining the decision, O’Neil emphasized mutual respect and the continuing importance of Lemina to the squad:

“The discussions with Mario were good. We get on very, very well. He’s been a big part of what we’ve been able to do here, and we have a large amount of respect for each other. He’ll still be around the senior group that leads the team, but at this moment, we feel it’s best for Nelson to lead the group.”

Reports suggest the decision may have been influenced by Lemina’s recent altercation with a Wolves staff member and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen following their match against the Hammers.

With Wolves currently languishing in 19th place, O’Neil’s move could be seen as an attempt to inject fresh energy and focus into the struggling side.

The team has suffered three consecutive defeats and faces a critical encounter against fellow relegation battlers Ipswich at Molineux Stadium.

While the leadership change aims to spark a turnaround, the pressure remains high on O’Neil. Another poor result could raise questions about his own position at the club.