MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 01:42:34| >> :600:115758:115758:

Nuno Espirito Santo can only see "good things" ahead for Wolves

Nuno Espirito Santo can only see
© Reuters
The Portuguese oversaw the final game of his four-year tenure as his side were beaten 2-1 at home by Manchester United.

Nuno Espirito Santo said he "only can see good things" ahead for Wolves after bowing out as the club's manager on Sunday.

The Portuguese oversaw the final game of his four-year tenure as his side were beaten 2-1 at home by Manchester United.

Wolves had announced two days earlier that he was to leave the club by mutual agreement after the fixture.

The game saw the return of Wolves fans to Molineux, with 4,500 allowed to attend, and supporters chanted Nuno's name heartily before, during and after the match.

Under the 47-year-old, the club won the Championship title in 2017-18, then twice came seventh in the Premier League – and reached the Europa League quarter-finals – before Sunday's 13th-placed finish.

Asked after the United contest if he felt Wolves could push forward after his departure, Nuno said: "Of course – I'm positive and I'm sure, because the foundation is there, the quality and talent of the players, the commitment of the players, the way they work with each other for the club.

"I only can see good things."

Regarding his reign, he said: "I always like to look at things as a whole, and now we have a chance to reflect on four years, four seasons that we were together.

"The highlight is how we finish – we finish with the same spirit, the same unity, and proud of ourselves because it is amazing what the players have done since day one. We must really value what we have built.

"It means a lot, the love and respect we felt and feel (from fans), the bond the fans have created with the team, the squad, all of us. It is very special, the bond between the fans and the team, and this will stay forever, it is something that is here to stay.

"What we wanted to build we achieved and you can see the togetherness that exists, and this is the more important thing.

"When you want to work with a group of players first you have to create a really special bond among themselves, with you, the club, the fans, the city. Then comes the sports achievement, but the more important one is the love and respect we have for each other.

"Wolverhampton is a place I love. It's a 'see you soon'."

Specifically on Wolves' injury-affected 2020-21, Nuno said: "It was a very tough season, but the way the players have worked, have reacted to all the circumstances that unfortunately we had, I only feel proud of the mission, that we did it together."

One of the major setbacks Wolves suffered during the campaign was Raul Jimenez sustaining a fractured skull in November. The striker has not played since, but was part of the warm-up ahead of Sunday's match as he works towards a return next term.

Nuno said: "He was not on the team sheet, but we decided for him to just be there on the pitch, touch the ball, feel the atmosphere of the game and the fans seeing a player they love.

"The more important thing is we are sure he is going to compete again, he's going to play football, and he is the one that is really anxious to do it. Raul is back so it is very good."

The match saw Nelson Semedo's maiden Wolves goal cancel out Anthony Elanga's early opener before Juan Mata struck what proved the winner with a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

ID:448873: cacheID:448873:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4738:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on May 6, 2021
Read Next:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted with Man United youngsters
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!