“I am the person who takes full responsibility and I will be accountable for my job and the future plan of Wolves,” said executive chairman Nathan Shi last month.
After the shock sacking of Rob Edwards last week, one which blindsided the manager and his staff along with many at Molineux, it is not just Shi who needs this change – which is a gamble – to work for Wolves.
Shi and owners Fosun led the change and after replacing Jeff Shi in December, he could find himself the focal point of supporters’ anger just like his predecessor.
If it fails, a fanbase who had started revolting over the past 18 months will look for full revolution against the owners.
Automatic promotion is the plan next season and Cesar Peixoto has to have Wolves in the title race in the Championship.
Even then, there is no harmony or patience with Fosun after what supporters see as a managed decline over the years of selling off the club’s best players and failing to replace them.
Wolves and the ownership deny that and they are expected to financially back Peixoto – just like they had planned to do with Edwards – to ensure they return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The club wanted more experienced players, with knowledge of the English game, to help and also reflect the club and city better and Raul Jimenez’s return does just that.
So there is positivity, the mistakes of last summer’s window look to have been learned from.
But after Edwards’ dismissal – him and his staff finding out about a possible change on social media – and the unity presented, with words like “alignment” used over the past few months, the direction of Wolves remains hard to judge.
THE best beaches in Europe have been revealed and the number one spot is a beautiful escape with super cheap flights.
Dubbed one of Portugal’s ‘Sunset Beaches’, Monte Clérigo sits in the Algarve region, but is much quieter than other crowded resorts.
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Monte Clerigo Beach has been declared the best in EuropeCredit: AlamyIt has sweeping golden sands and is much lesser-known then other Algarve resortsCredit: Alamy
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The Algarve draws in millions of Brits every year wanting to explore its golden sand beaches and bask in its glorious sunshine.
It’s most popular resorts include Albufeira, Vilamoura and Alvor – but that’s not where you’ll find the best beach.
Tucked away on the western coast is Praia de Monte Clérigo which has just been declared the best beach in all of Europe by European Best Destinations.
Beaches across Europe are assessed on aspects like natural beauty to water quality, family-friendliness, available activities, accommodation and overall atmosphere.
The 30 highest-rated beaches are then submitted to an international panel of travellers and tourism enthusiasts who vote to find the ‘Best Beaches in Europe 2026′.
Monte Clérigo Beach was described the beach as having ‘golden cliffs’ and ‘wild Atlantic landscapes’.
The ‘wildness’ of the coastal spot comes from the fact that it forms part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park where there’s lots of greenery and plenty of hiking routes.
The beach also has fine sand, low-tide rock pools, is ideal for surfing, and its nearby town of Aljezur is filled with colourful cottages some of which sit up on the cliffside.
Monte Clérigo is considered one of Portugal’s best ‘Sunset Beaches’ too.
Monte Clérigo is considered one of Portugal’s best ‘Sunset BeachesCredit: Alamy
Thanks to its position on the western coast, beachgoers have a clear view of the sun as it sets looking like it sinks into the ocean.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Stunning beach on rugged coastline. Visited several times. Away from hectic tourist resorts. This beach is beautiful. It’s well worth waiting for some sunset photos!”
Another added: “I discovered another beautiful beach on the southwest coast of Portugal. Pristine and unspoiled is how I’d describe the place.”
Right on the sands is Restaurant O Sargo which has live music every Friday night and is popular with locals and visitors who enjoy fresh seafood and watch the sunset in the evening.
The beach is easily reachable from the UK – you could be there in five hoursCredit: Alamy
Faro International Airport is an hour and a half drive away from the beach, so from the UK you could be sunbathing on the beach in under five hours.
One-way flights are as little as £13.99 in June flying from London Luton with Wizz Air.
Other beaches that secured a spot on the list were Voutoumi Beach in Antipaxos which came in second place.
Elafonisi Beach which is a rare pink beach in Crete came in fourth place.
One beach in Norway even made it onto the list, Kvalvika Beach has bright blue waters and is backed by enormous mountains – certainly making it one of the most beautiful.
WITHIN minutes of landing at Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, we were picked up by . . . Ronaldo.
No, not that one, but a taxi driver who said he was actually named after former US President Ronald Reagan, not the footballer.
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Madeira’s golden sands and rocky backdropCredit: CarlosGouveia5D3There’s whale and dolphin watching, too. We spent the morning with Rota dos Cetaceos Tours. A marine biologist onboard explained more about these incredible creaturesCredit: Getty
And he wasted no time in pointing out one of the island’s most famous landmarks, another Ronaldo.
The bronze statue of the footballer outside the Pestana CR7 hotel in Funchal, the island’s main town, is certainly memorable — not necessarily for the reasons the sculptor intended.
The two-metre, 800kg statue has a noticeably polished groin. Rubbing this delicate spot is meant to bring good luck, so it was obviously important I gave it a try.
But Madeira — a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic — isn’t just a shrine to football greatness, it’s been attracting Brits long before free kicks and trophies.
There is fun to be had on the winding roads on the island’s famous — and slightly bonkers — toboggan rideCredit: AlamyThe capital of Madeira, FunchalCredit: Getty
According to our wonderfully knowledgeable guide, Graca Lopes, Victorians flocked here in the 19th Century for health reasons.
Madeira’s mild, subtropical climate (16C to 22C year round) and pure air make it ideal for respiratory health. The wild volcanic views, lush forests and fresh sea air are great for mental health and longevity too. Anti- ageing and an escape from rainy Britain? Count me in!
I’d heard Madeira described, slightly unfairly, as a haven for “energetic retirees with hiking poles”. And yes, there are plenty of older people and spectacular walks, but there’s definitely more on offer too.
Madeira is surprisingly compact. At 35 miles long and 14 miles wide, it’s roughly the same size as Greater Manchester.
The Levada das 25 Fontes, a popular trail near Rabaçal leading to a cascading waterfall lagoonCredit: GettyDaisy touches Ronaldo statue’s groin area – just for luckCredit: Supplied
The roads twist and climb at angles, often narrowing to only the width of a decent hallway. There is fun to be had on these winding roads on the island’s famous — and slightly bonkers — toboggan ride.
It involves a wicker basket hurtling down steep streets from hilltop area Monte, steered by two men in straw hats using nothing but their shoes as brakes. It’s in equal parts terrifying and hilarious but in the 19th Century it was the quickest way to travel.
There are plenty of other adventures to be had in Madeira. A Jeep safari along the rugged northeast coast, with AdventureLand tours, shows off the island at its most dramatic.
One minute the open-sided truck is climbing steep, muddy tracks, the next you are looking out over sheer cliffs to the vast swathes of the Atlantic.
The tour also includes a chance to admire the unique triangular-shaped houses at Santana with their traditional, red, white and blue paintwork and steep, thatched roofs.
There’s whale and dolphin watching too. We spent the morning with Rota dos Cetaceos Tours. A marine biologist on board explained more about these incredible creatures.
And for some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen, take a day trip over to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. It’s a two and a half hour ferry ride away but you’ll be rewarded with incredible beaches, including Calheta Beach, with its 9km of soft sands surrounded by unique rock formations.
These adventures were complemented by our gorgeous base, The Vine, a sleek, stylish boutique hotel in the centre of Funchal.
The interior design is inspired by wine. The furniture mimics twisted vines, there are grape-purple fabrics and the spa offers vinotherapy massages and facials.
The five-star hotel’s rooftop has a pool, Bali beds and bar, along with stunning views of the bay.
We took a walking tour of the town with guide Gracia. The cobbled streets lead to sea views and every corner seems to involve either food, history or both.
One must-see is The Painted Doors of Rua de Santa Maria — where artists decorated 200 of the street’s doors as it rises to the church of Santa Maria Maior.
In the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos we had lunch at the Restaurante Vila do Peixe. With incredible views, customers can choose fish fresh from the counter. The platter is around £35.
Another traditional treat is the tipple poncha. According to locals it’s the answer to any problems life can throw at you.
Got a cold? Poncha. Heartbreak? Poncha. Existential dread? Double poncha.
By day two I was fairly certain it could also strip paint and power small machinery.
We had dinners at various restaurants including the Three House Bake — a boutique hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar with a DJ and BBQ in Funchal town.
The Jard.in Magnólia in Quinta Magnólia, a 19th Century estate with huge botanical gardens, served up a great steak and seabass with lime risotto, with prices from around £22 for a main.
But Avista, probably the poshest restaurant in Funchal, set on a clifftop, was sensational.
The staff were incredible and the food was too. We had a seven-course pairing menu that featured Algarve red prawns, black Angus steak tartare and a chocolate tangerine dessert.
The tasting menu isn’t cheap, at around £80pp, but it’s definitely one for a special celebration.
Our final day saw us exploring a levada walk — unique hiking experiences using Madeira’s 1,350miles of 15th Century irrigation channels that now double as scenic trails.
There’s a huge variety of walks that promise strolls among lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery and stunning waterfalls.
Among the most popular is the Levada das 25 Fontes, a popular trail near Rabaçal leading to a cascading waterfall lagoon.
And then, just like that, it was time to leave. A final breakfast, a last look at the sea, and I’m back at the airport half expecting Ronaldo (either one) to wave me off.
Sadly, neither does. But Madeira has already done enough to win me over.
GO: MADEIRA
GETTING THERE: Fly to Madeira from several UK regional airports, including Gatwick, Stansted, East Midlands, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle with Jet2.com, easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways with fares from £46 return.
STAYING THERE: Double rooms at 5H The Vine Hotel, Funchal, from £120 per night in May. See hotelthevine.com.
