Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo will reportedly leave the Premier League club after Sunday’s final game of the season, with Tottenham alleged to be in the hunt to hire the Portuguese coach.
Nuno led Wolves to promotion from the Championship League and gallantly established them in the top-flight during his four seasons at Molineux.
Tottenham are still browsing through football’s Yellow Pages for a new manager after Jose Mourinho’s sacking in April and Nuno was immediately installed as the bookmakers’ favourites to take charge of the north London side. Brighton’s Graham Potter and Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl have also been linked with the Tottenham job, which has been filled by Ryan Mason on a caretaker basis since Mourinho’s exit.
Nuno’s management has seen Wolves secure consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League and reached the Europa League quarter-finals under his tenure, although this season has proved more difficult with Wolves faring no better than a 12th-placed finish, depending on Sunday’s result in his farewell match against United at Molineux.
There had been reports for several weeks that Wolves were considering parting ways with the 47-year-old, who only signed a new deal with the club 12 months ago.
Both Nuno and the club insisted the decision to leave had been made by mutual consent.
“We achieved our goals, we did it with passion and we did it together. Firstly, I want to thank the supporters, who have all played such an important part in helping us reach new heights for Wolves, and the people of the city, who embraced us and made us feel at home,” Nuno said.
“I, of course, want to thank all of the staff at Wolves, for their support and total commitment, every single day.
“Most importantly, I want to thank each and every player that we’ve worked with since the day we started, for their loyalty, their dedication, hard work and talent. They are the ones who have made this amazing journey possible for us.
“Sunday will be a very emotional day, but I am so happy that the fans will be back in Molineux and we can share one last special moment together, as one pack.”
Nuno spent more than £60 million on signing Nelson Semedo and Fabio Silva before the start of this season, but an injury to prolific Mexico striker Raul Jimenez derailed Wolves’ campaign. Jimenez has not played since fracturing his skull at Arsenal in October.
Ex-Porto and Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira and Mourinho’s former assistant Rui Faria have been mooted as potential replacements for Nuno.
“Nuno has brought us some incredibly special moments at Wolves that will never be forgotten, but every chapter comes to an end,” Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said.
“His loyalty and dedication over the last four years has been immeasurable, and we cannot thank him enough for the progress he has made for Wolves.”