Alex Crook, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, has provided an update on rumors linking Bruno Lage with a return to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Last December, Wolves hired Vitor Pereira to replace Gary O’Neil, who had nearly led the club into a relegation battle. With strong form and a sense of togetherness in the second half of the season, Pereira steered Wolves clear of the bottom three, eventually finishing comfortably within the confines of mid-table.
Over the summer, Wolves lost important players including Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nelson Semedo and Matheus Cunha. As has often been the case in recent years, the Midlands side replaced them with players who were not of the same caliber, hampering their 2025/26 campaign.
After 10 matches in the Premier League, Wolves remain winless and have only two points. Pereira, despite signing a new contract just weeks ago, was sacked in early November, sparking a hunt at Wolves to find their new manager.
O’Neil had been linked to what would have been a sensational comeback, only to withdraw from competition. Other names include Erik ten Hag, a Premier League regular following his time as Man United manager. However, in his last job, the Dutchman was sacked by Bayer Leverkusen after just three matches.
Elsewhere, a boss Wolves are particularly familiar with has been linked with a return to the Premier League.
Lage reportedly on Wolves’ radar
In recent days, Wolves have been linked with the move of former manager Bruno Lage. The Portuguese joined Wolves for the first time in 2021, replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm. Despite a promising start, form eventually faltered under Lage, who was fired at the end of 2022.
Lage has since worked in Brazil and his native Portugal, having previously managed Benfica, who sacked him in September. Given his free agent status, Lage’s ties to a Wolves reunion are understandable, even if there appears to be little truth to the rumors.
It is still unclear who the next Wolves manager will be, although a reunion with O’Neil or Lage now seems impossible. Given the end of their respective tenures, it might suit the club to look for a manager who has no prior links to Molineux.
‘World class’ manager wants talks with Wolves
