Nuno Espirito Santo
Sam Allardyce has expressed his surprise at Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure from Wolves as he outlined the challenges facing his successor at Molineux.
Sam Allardyce said: “I was surprised to see him go. Saying that, they still finished mid-table. The expectation was built very highly, very quickly. That’s a big danger for a manager sometimes. When you overachieve, everybody expects you to go on and increase it from there. They sold a couple of players and the centre forward who scores all the goals was out with his fractured skull. That caused them a problem. They sold Jota to Liverpool, they lost a few goals there. They had a difficult season through injuries, which can happen. But it was still a very good season. They finished in the middle of the table.”
Wolves look set to appoint Bruno Lage, who has been cleared to take charge at Molineux by the FA following a work permit hearing this week. Allardyce says Lage could find it difficult to attract the players he wants during the upcoming transfer window.
Sam Allardyce said: “Who are they going to go out and buy now? That’s very difficult for every club, with all the money that’s been lost in the Premier League,” said the former Everton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace boss. Fans will demand ‘let’s get out and improve the side’. Where are you going to do that, how much is it going to cost?”
