Al-Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo has played down reports suggesting he is keen on a return to Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Premier League, telling WTS Kora that the ‘rumours’ are just that.
Then again, gossip usually comes with a kernel of truth.
And with such a wide variety of sources and publications claiming that Nuno would be interested taking over for a second spell at Molineux, you could be forgiven for taking the 48-year-old’s comments with a pinch of salt.
“I never intend to leave Al-Ittihad’s training camp,” Nuno insists. “They are just rumours, and I do not like it. I focus on my team. Especially since we have a camp in Dubai during the international break for the World Cup.”
Al-Ittihad president Anmar Al-Haili admitted last week that Wolves had contacted Nuno regarding a potential return to the Black Country. But the former Tottenham Hotspur and FC Porto coach, he says, remains committed to seeing out his contract.
Nuno’s current deal runs until 2024. Then again, if Wolves firm up their interest, Nuno’s loyalty will certainly be tested.
Will Nuno Espirito Santo return to Wolves?
“We players see that Nuno Espirito Santo is the best coach, and a big name,” Al-Ittihad’s former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi tells Kooora.
“The players feel comfortable. They have adapted to coach Nuno, and we are trying to develop ourselves every day on the field. We are performing well in our matches.”
Despite facing criticism over a supposedly overly-cautious approach and some stupefying football at times (accusations that will ring particularly true to Tottenham supporters), Nuno’s Al-Ittihad are still unbeaten in eight league games this season.
In addition to Nuno, Wolves have also held talks with another ex-Molineux coach. Rob Edwards, formerly their U21 boss, is available after becoming the latest victim of Gino Pozzo’s trigger-happy regime at Watford.
Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, turned down Wolves for the second time for personal reasons.
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