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    Wednesday, June 9, 2021

    Wolves Appoints Former Benfica Boss, Bruno Lage as New Head Coach

    Wolves have appointed former Benfica boss Bruno Lage as their new head coach.

    Lage, who has been out of work since leaving Benfica last summer, was the club's number one choice following the surprise departure of Nuno Espirito Santo from Molineux at the end of the season.

    The 45-year-old flew to London for talks with Wolves' chairman Jeff Shi and technical director Scott Sellars last month to begin negotiations over joining the club, before being granted a work permit.

    The former Benfica boss replaced Rui Vitoria in January 2019 and won the Portuguese top flight in his first season, but the club relieved him of his duties last summer.

    Nuno departed Molineux after four successful seasons with the Midlands club during which he guided them to promotion from the Championship in 2018. The Portuguese helped secure Europa League spots in his first two seasons in the top flight.

    But a 13th-placed finish and poor form in 2020/21 saw Nuno leave the club by "mutual agreement" at the end of the campaign.

    Lage said: “It’s a team and a club that wants to do history and a chance to compete in the Premier League. So, I’m happy, excited, with a big ambition to do great things for this club.”

    A move to Molineux marks a return to English football after Lage spent time as Carlos Carvalhal’s assistant at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea.

    He won the Portuguese title with Benfica in 2019 – also claiming manager of the year – before departing in 2020 after failing to defend their crown, finishing second behind Porto.

    Nuno left Wolves last month having taken them from the Sky Bet Championship to the Europa League quarter-finals.

    He secured successive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League after promotion in 2018 but Wolves could only manage 13th in the 2020-21 campaign.

    While his departure was officially by mutual consent, owners Fosun initiated the move as they looked to the club’s long-term future.

    Crystal Palace are now in talks with Nuno over the vacant position at Selhurst Park, while he has also been interviewed by Everton.

    Meanwhile, Lage may be forced to let one of his key players depart the club, amid Arsenal's interest in midfielder Ruben Neves.

    Both clubs have been holding discussions regarding the 24-year-old, though it is unclear at this stage whether Lage's appointment could halt any deal.

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