Nuno: A year as Wolves boss – in quotes
Nuno Espirito Santo was hired at Wolves boss exactly one year ago today.
Here we compile the key quotes from his memorable first year in charge.
June 1, the day he was unveiled
"I like a challenge. Most importantly I appreciate people. When I met people from Wolves I was delighted.
"Now is the moment for planning, not making targets. We'll bring commitment, try to make players better. We look to develop players.
"I hope I can help build a new future. I’m looking forward to getting inspiration from those golden (1950s) years – and making a new future.
"I turned down Champions League clubs. I believe in the new project. I really want to build something."
July 6, pre-season
"You have to have patience and be persistent on our ideas. It's all about the ball – players sometimes are not so used to always being in contact with the ball from day one.
"But this is our idea, that we want to build a team that's capable of building good football."
August 7, Wolves 1-0 Middlesbrough (opening day of the season)
"We're building an idea – a new idea for them. All the players have to progress."
August 15, describing Ruben Neves' 30-yard strike at Hull
"It was poetry."
August 19, Wolves 1-2 Cardiff (Nuno's first defeat at boss)
“It’s not going to be the first time we’ll face a team like that. Hopefully it’ll be a different result, I’m sure we’ll be positive and learn lessons. We will learn from our mistakes, I’m sure about that."
October 14, Wolves 2-0 Villa
"It was a really good result and a fantastic performance. I'm excited about the future."
October 24, Manchester City 0-0 Wolves (4-1 on pens)
"It's fantastic to come here and see 6,200 shouting for the team. I think they should be proud. It was too bad they couldn't celebrate but it gives us hope for the future that together we are stronger."
November 2, responding with reports linking him to the Everton job
"We cannot get distracted. Jorge (Mendes) knows what I say to him."
December 15, Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Wolves
"It's not all about talent and quality. What supports everything is the way that you have a clean sheet, the way you support each other and react to loss of possession, the way you keep your shape and run back. This is football."
December 30, Bristol City 1-2 Wolves
"The character they showed was incredible."
February 3, Wolves 3-0 Sheffield United
"We are focused but I can find some enjoyment from it. Every moment of my life is to enjoy what I do, I am a positive guy. When a goal goes in I'm the happiest man in the stadium."
March 10, Villa 4-1 Wolves
"It's a tough moment for me, the boys, for our fans, everyone at Wolves. We don't have time to stay in sorrow. The mental strength, this is when we have to show it."
March 30, Middlesbrough 1-2 Wolves (with nine men)
"Everything went crazy but we won."
April 5, after missing out on the Championship manager of the year award to Neil Warnock
"I have my personal vision, my vote was not for Neil Warnock because I believe football is an idea and the way teams play is the idea of their managers. I prefer another kind of approach and ideas on football.
"When I came here it was to build something and create an idea and a philosophy, to build an identity. It's more than a football pitch – it's a club, it's a city...it goes beyond prizes.
"I'm proud of our work."
April 6, Cardiff 0-1 Wolves
"That's why we love the game."
April 6, after not shaking Neil Warnock's hand
"I apologise, but at the same time I hope everybody understands it's very difficult to control your emotions after a finish like that. I wanted to give a big hug to big John (Ruddy) because today he was unbelievable for us."
April 15, Wolves 2-0 Blues (with promotion clinched a day earlier)
"It’s special. The players have been the key, the way they believed something was changing. First of all what you have to conquer is the trust of the players – and they trust and believed and kept on doing that. Fantastic. It’s the best reward that someone can have working in football, when someone believes in you."
April 15, on his team getting through the winter unscathed
"You find Tuesday, minus 5C, you have to be there to respond. We played good with a yellow ball, no problems."
May 8, end of season awards
"Honestly, from day one I felt something was going on in Austria when I had people coming to me, you cannot expect that, people coming from so far away to support you against a Czech team. I was surprised. From then until now it's been incredible. Thank you – and now we have a dream!"
"There were memorable moments that were special for everyone, but every day (is special), even when you go to training and it's f****** freezing!"
May 12, on his emotions
“When I’m upset I can be the worst guy in the world, I don’t speak to you one day because I have everything in my mind. Next day I’m hugging people. It’s natural, we have good and bad moments."
May 12, looking ahead to next year
“Of course I am excited – we have something really good. “We have a basis of work, we had an idea that we have to develop, we have players that enjoy playing for each other, that is the most important thing. Players enjoying playing with each other.
"I am not obsessed about making an impression on the Premier League. I want to build a team who can play home and away the same – never change. Let’s try to do it. It’s not the style, it’s the idea. It’s the way we want to be."
