Marshall Munetsi Reflects on a Gruelling Premier League Baptism as Wolves Begin Pre-Season Reset
As pre-season preparations get underway at Compton Park ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, one Wolves player has offered a frank and thoughtful reflection on what proved to be a turbulent yet transformative first half-season in English football. Midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who arrived in January from Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, quickly established himself as a vital cog in Vitor Pereira’s Wolves machine—but not without enduring physical and mental strain along the way.
Now, with a full summer break under his belt and a clearer picture of what Premier League life demands, the Zimbabwean international is ready to push on and repay the faith shown in him during what was one of the most challenging periods of his career.
Vitor Pereira’s Rescue Job: Laying the Foundations
Wolves’ 2024/25 season was spiralling by the time Vitor Pereira arrived in the West Midlands. The team sat five points adrift of safety in January, with fans growing increasingly anxious about the club’s direction. A once-promising season had faltered badly under previous management, plagued by defensive instability, a lack of identity, and underperforming players.
Enter Vitor Pereira. The Portuguese tactician was brought in with a reputation for organisational discipline, tactical nuance, and experience managing under pressure. His task was simple but daunting: avoid relegation. He wasted no time in identifying what Wolves lacked—particularly in midfield, where the team was too often overrun and lacked a true engine.
Pereira’s response came in the form of three January additions: central defender Emmanuel Agbadou, young centre-back Nasser Djiga, and versatile box-to-box midfielder Marshall Munetsi. While Agbadou brought immediate composure to the backline and Djiga was viewed as one for the future, it was Munetsi who was handed the most demanding role from day one.
Thrown Into the Fire: Munetsi’s Early Wolves Career
Arriving from Stade Reims, where he had built a reputation as one of Ligue 1’s most effective defensive midfielders, Munetsi was not given time to settle. Instead, he was drafted straight into Pereira’s starting XI and played in every single Premier League match from the moment he signed.
The Zimbabwean midfielder was tasked with one of the most gruelling jobs in English football: managing transitions, breaking up play, and driving the ball forward under intense pressure. Despite the massive step up in pace and physicality, Munetsi impressed early with his stamina, tactical awareness, and selfless attitude. Wolves fans quickly came to admire his industrious nature and willingness to put his body on the line.
But as the weeks wore on, it became clear that the relentless pace of Premier League football—combined with the emotional pressure of a relegation battle—was beginning to take its toll.
The Etihad: A Microcosm of Fatigue and Frustration
The clearest evidence of Munetsi’s growing fatigue came during Wolves’ narrow defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Facing one of the best teams in world football is a monumental task at the best of times, but for Munetsi, it turned into a perfect storm of adversity.
In a candid post-season interview with the club’s official website, Munetsi revealed that he had been ill in the days leading up to the game, yet still started and completed the full 90 minutes.
“Some games I’m not so tired,” he explained, “but I remember against Manchester City I was tired because I was sick also during that week.”
The midfielder’s exhaustion was visibly evident on the pitch. According to match data, he recorded the fewest touches of any outfield player to complete the game. That statistic alone pointed to his physical limitations on the day, but there was also a moment that encapsulated his struggles more painfully.
Midway through the second half, Wolves produced one of their most promising attacks of the match. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde picked out Munetsi with a perfect low cross after Ederson had come off his line. With the goal gaping, Munetsi looked set to equalise—but inexplicably missed the open net, scuffing the chance and drawing groans from both the away end and those watching at home.
It was a miss that went viral on social media, but Munetsi’s honest explanation afterwards brought much-needed perspective.
“I remember just wanting to sleep,” he said. “After a very difficult game, you just want to sleep. But in some games, because of how you’d have trained and prepared, you just feel in a normal way.”
It was clear that this wasn’t just a missed chance from a player lacking composure—it was a moment of failure from someone simply running on empty.
Finding Form Through Fatigue
Despite that low point, Munetsi still finished the season strongly relative to Wolves’ overall campaign. His contributions often went unnoticed in the stats sheets but were valued by the coaching staff. His off-ball positioning, pressing triggers, and ability to cover ground allowed more creative players to flourish in advanced positions. While his finishing and decision-making in the final third left room for improvement, his impact in protecting the backline and recycling possession was undeniable.
Off the pitch, Munetsi also showed tremendous character. He never shied away from media responsibilities, was known to encourage younger players in training, and demonstrated leadership qualities that Pereira is reportedly keen to harness next season.
Pre-Season: A Crucial Period for Growth
Now, with the slate wiped clean and a full summer to recover, Munetsi finds himself in a much stronger position heading into 2025/26. Wolves are not just trying to survive this year—they want to build. Pereira will be hoping to implement a more refined tactical system after having time to assess his squad, and Munetsi is expected to play a central role in that plan.
Crucially, the midfielder will also benefit from proper pre-season conditioning, something he missed out on due to his mid-season arrival. He’ll have time to improve his sharpness in front of goal, work on his composure in high-pressure moments, and integrate more fluidly into the team’s attacking phases.
With a more stable environment and clearer tactical expectations, Munetsi could finally start adding more attacking output to his already impressive defensive game. If he manages to do that, Wolves could have one of the most complete midfielders outside the traditional ‘top six’.
What Lies Ahead: The Next Step for Munetsi and Wolves
For Wolves, the 2025/26 campaign represents a turning point. Having avoided the drop under Pereira, the aim now is to push toward mid-table stability and build a side capable of competing on multiple fronts. With additions expected in the attacking areas and possibly at full-back, there is optimism around the club for the first time in several seasons.
For Marshall Munetsi, this will be a season to prove that he can be more than just a workhorse. With the right support system, better fitness, and a settled team around him, he has the potential to become a fan favourite at Molineux. His story—of perseverance, honesty, and quiet leadership—already resonates with the Wolves faithful.
And while that miss at the Etihad may linger as a painful memory, it also serves as a powerful reminder of what Munetsi was willing to endure for his team. Few players would have played 90 minutes in that condition. Even fewer would own up to it afterwards.
Now, with his head clear and his legs refreshed, the real Marshall Munetsi may finally be ready to show the Premier League what he’s all about.