Nothing represents the changing of the guard at Wolves more than the departure of Conor Coady, the leader of the pack, as Molineux so often serenaded him.
No player in the modern-day era of this historic football club has embedded themselves into its fabric more than Coady. On the pitch, within the dressing room, in the local community, he covered every proverbial blade of Wolverhampton Wanderers following his arrival in 2015, and as he departs on a permanent basis, so does a club legend.
That accolade primarily derives from seasons three to seven, rather than the Merseysider’s opening two campaigns at Molineux. However, those initial 24 months laid a foundation, and they displayed a willingness to put the team before himself – a theme which ran through all of his 317 appearances in old gold.
Signed by Kenny Jackett as a defensive midfielder from Huddersfield Town, nobody, except one person, predicted the position the former Liverpool trainee would trademark as his own at Molineux. After one uninspiring season for the club as a whole, the trajectory of Wolves, and later Coady, changed completely.
The purchase by Fosun was intended to fire the Old Gold back into the big time, but a host of signings and two managerial appointments failed to provide that. As Wolves battled around the lower half of the Championship, Coady became the utility man. He was a useful tool for Walter Zenga and Paul Lambert, slotting in across multiple roles including right-back, but never nailing down the midfield role he’d become accustomed to during the previous season, as well as at Sheffield United and Huddersfield.
Then, the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo signalled a new dawn. The changing of the guard brought the end for the likes of stalwarts Dave Edwards and Nouha Dicko. While many wondered if Coady would suffer the same fate, Nuno had a masterplan.
Shoehorned into the middle of a back three during a pre-season training camp in Austria, suddenly everything clicked for Coady and Wolves. An organiser with a football brain and, crucially for the system, an ability to begin attacks with his range of passing – the role appeared ready made for the former Liverpool trainee.
Diagonal passes to right-wing-back Matt Doherty, also transformed under Nuno, became a trademark success as Wolves stormed the Championship. With Danny Batth out of favour for much of the campaign, Coady quickly, but respectfully, scooped up armband duties, and given his lively personality, seemed a natural.
Marshalled by Coady, Wolves had stardust all over the pitch. The likes of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota won games at one end, while a steady back three of Coady, Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett did the dirty work, but did so in style, with Coady the constant voice. He’d embraced a new Wolves – a new system, new tactics, a new position – and was thriving. The first to celebrate any teammate’s goal, this was the time of his career.
In a season where Coady missed just one match through suspension, Wolves moved top following victory at Norwich City on Halloween and never relinquished their position. Wins became frequent – a balance between flair and steel was found, with Coady able to contribute in both departments.
Promotion was sealed by mid-April and on a special day in Greater Manchester, the title was secured. As Wolves cruised to victory over Bolton Wanderers, Benik Afobe was chopped down in the box – penalty given. The only outfield starter that afternoon not to score during the campaign? Mr Coady. In a moment the defender later admitted showed the togetherness of the group, he was handed the responsibility and rolled home in front of 5,000 travelling supporters. The smile on his face told the story. A treasured memory.
The following week Coady and Batth shared the responsibility of lifting the famous old trophy. The Premier League beckoned for Wolves and Coady, who left the top flight and Liverpool in search of regular game time four years earlier and was back at the top on merit.
A change from his back three system was never a debate for Nuno and the middle of that trio of central defenders was always going to be Coady. It was a role embedded into the club’s DNA – academy staff were searching for upcoming talents to fill the ‘Conor Coady role’.
The 2018/19 season was special. A first win at West Ham United settled any nerves, with Coady’s overjoyed celebration at the London Stadium typical of his buy-in into the old gold shirt. That set the tone for a special, special season with the now full-time skipper playing every minute of action, across all competitions.
90 of those minutes were what Coady described as “one of his greatest” – 16th March 2019. The FA Cup quarter final victory over Manchester United was more than a football match, it was a city coming together as one, and he got it. “It shows what this club is all about, going against the top teams as the underdog and coming through. It wasn’t just the team, that was the whole crowd, that was Wolves, that was us.” Strong, emotive words, but genuine words from Coady, reflecting on a night of a lifetime three years on. A night which will never be forgotten.
Because of that occasion, nobody felt the agony of defeat at Wembley in the semi-final more than Coady. Despite admitting that regret will stick with him for the rest of his life, it may have provided the catalyst for something even more special. Rallied by their leader, the group bounced back from that heartbreak to finish seventh, thus beginning the European adventure.
After 39 years away, Wolves were back on the European stage and Coady was the man to lead them there. Crusaders, Pyunik and Torino, the Old Gold quickly booked their place in the group stages, starting a mammoth season. 59 games and Coady played the full 90 in 57 of them. Nuno’s manager on the pitch, Coady’s influence was massive, dragging Wolves to colossal European victories over Besiktas and Olympiacos, the Premier League double over Manchester City, and countless other games now etched into the club’s proud history.
As the world plummeted into the Covid-19 pandemic, Coady was robbed of the opportunity to lead Wolves out for a quarter final of the Europa League in front of the supporters who’d adopted him as their own – “His name is Conor Coady, the leader of our pack” as his chant went.
It was around this time that the football world began to notice Conor Coady as a personality. An appearance on Sky Sports’ MNF show in December 2019 further heightened his reputation as one of football’s good guys, but the captain insisted always that any media duties were simply an opportunity to praise the club he held in such high regard.
That confidence behind the cameras reflected his attitude on the pitch – an organiser, a talker, a leader. That was evident more than ever with football taking place behind closed doors. Without exception, the barking voice you could hear throughout lockdown football was that of Wolves’ number 16, ensuring standards were maintained at all times.
Despite the disruption of the pandemic, Coady’s career continued in an upward trajectory. A first senior call up to the England squad brought immense pride to the player, family and club. Even more so when he volleyed home a first international goal in just his second game against Wales. The only shame, an empty stadium met his overjoyed face.
That expression was very similar when the skipper expertly headed home his first Premier League goal against Manchester City. Although that night at the Etihad ended in defeat, it did ask the question, what threat were Wolves missing out on, leaving Coady on the centre circle for set pieces, like in his previous three campaigns.
That goal came in a season of transition. Nuno’s time at Wolves was coming to an end. His tactics had changed, seeing Coady perform in a back four for the first time. Earlier that campaign, the defender missed a 1-1 draw with Southampton. In a game remembered by few, it was significant for Coady – Covid-19 protocols sent him into isolation, ending an 84-game run of playing every minute – the third-best for outfield players in the history of the Premier League.
While Wolves were amidst a mid-table season on the pitch, the city, and world in general, was battling against the pandemic. Off-pitch efforts were arguably more important, and spotting an opportunity to help the community, Coady was there to be counted. The Feed Our Pack campaign, spearheaded by Nuno’s generosity, ensured local people had the supplies to survive the pandemic. As an ambassador for the Wolves Foundation, Coady gave up his time to join staff and academy players in packing up 250 boxes for families in need in the Wolverhampton area. A completely selfless act.
It was far from an isolated incident, however. Coady the human continued to shine in other areas. In August 2021, he was awarded the Football Ally Award at the annual British LGBT Awards and later that year teamed up with Wolves Women’s Ali Miller to discuss the LGBT community, the differences between the men’s and women’s game and being an ally. An important conversation, which Coady wasn’t forced into – he wanted to make a difference.
Watch this and make your day better 💛@wwfcfoundation ambassador Conor Coady surprising Logan, a young victim of bullying, with a day he'll never forget at Molineux.#AntiBullyingWeek pic.twitter.com/Vib2Xd9fyC
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 18, 2021
So to with Logan Pope, a young fan bullied at school, who was surprised by a visit from the Wolves skipper. This wasn’t your standard player appearance, however. Meeting Logan at the shirt printing machine, Coady gave the youngster a tour of Molineux and sat him down for another meaningful, thought-provoking conversation. Empathy comes naturally to Coady.
In the meantime, the 30-year-old was still crucial on the pitch for now head coach Bruno Lage. Once a rarity, goals for Coady were now commonplace. The equaliser in a dramatic comeback at Villa Park, a South Bank strike against Southampton, a brilliant header winner against Everton and a last-gasp leveller at Stamford Bridge. All valuable goals, result-winning goals.
All good things come to an end, however. Circumstances change, that’s the nature of football, and 12 months ago that was the case. The opportunity to gain minutes out on loan, allowing Coady to fulfil his dream of going to a World Cup with England, arose, and given the respect club staff had for the defender, they didn’t stand in his way. Three months later the defender was on the plane to Qatar.
Plying his trade at Everton for a season, but Coady remained attached to Wolves. As the club unveiled its prestigious 300 Club board at Molineux in the spring, the defender accepted the invitation to return and celebrate the history of the club he’d turned out for 317 times.
This summer, the journey officially ends. New chapters begin for club and player, but the mark Conor Coady has left at Wolves will be a lasting one.
😮💨 Last-minute goals >>> pic.twitter.com/FQSSJypwug
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 7, 2022
