Bruno Lage’s Portuguese background convinced Wolverhampton Wanderers the former Benfica boss would suit their squad better than Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard, as reported by The Athletic.
While Wolves did give some consideration to a pair of up-and-coming home-grown tacticians, it will come as no surprise to learn the man set to replace Nuno Espirito Santo in the Molineux dugout speaks with an Iberian accent.
Lage, who led a Joao Felix-inspired Benfica side to the Primeira Liga title in 2019, is expected to overcome work permit problems as he closes in on a move to the Black Country.
Wolves like Lage
And, according to The Athletic, Wolves felt the former Swansea City assistant was a better fit than Gerrard or Lampard for a squad chock-full of Portuguese talent, from Pedro Neto to Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves to Rui Patricio.
Lage’s attacking, free-flowing style of football – his Benfica once battered Nacional 10-0 – should win over the Wolves supporters too, especially those grown tired by the plodding pragmatism of latter-day Nuno.
Lampard remains without a job five months after he was replaced by the more experienced Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
The former England international has, however, been tipped to succeed Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace.
Wolves considered Lampard and Gerrard
Gerrard, meanwhile, won’t be short of offers when he decides his Rangers story has come to an end – although there’s no reason to believe that day is coming any time soon.
The Liverpool legend has already won more league titles in charge of the Gers than he did in more than two decades at Anfield, transforming the Glasgow giants into Scotland’s own Invincibles after an unbeaten, 100-point season.
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