Former Premier League bosses Carlos Carvalhal and Javi Gracia are in contention to replace the sacked Bruno Lage in the Wolverhampton Wanderers dugout, according to Portuguese publication Record.
Players out of position, chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ raining down; lifeless, goalless, feckless. Wolves’ performance during the 2-0 defeat at West Ham certainly felt like a team at the end of an era. A fanbase at the end of their tether.
And the sacking of Lage less than 24 hours later was greeted more with a sigh of relief than anything else. The inevitable by-product of one win in 15 games; a dismal end to 2021/22 spilling over into 2022/23.
It just wasn’t working. Better to shake hands and move on now than risk dragging it on for any longer. Especially during a season that is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Who will replace Bruno Lage at Wolves?
The task now facing Wolves’ Chinese owners and chairman Jeff Shi is finding a coach who can thrive where Lage failed, and coax some much-needed productivity out of a talented yet toothless side? Striker-or-not, a team containing Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Daniel Podence, Adama Traore, Pedro Neto and Goncalo Guedes should be nowhere near the relegation zone.
It’s fair to say neither Carlos Carvalhal nor Javi Gracia, however, are going to get hairs standing up on end.
According to Record, 56-year-old Carvalhal is one potential candidate. The Braga-born former Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea boss is currently under contract at Abu Dhabi-based outfit Al Wahda.
Carvalhal, who was interviewed by Blackburn Rovers in the summer, is understood to be keen on a return to Britain. The last time he stepped foot on UK soil, however, he was relegated with the Swans. Interestingly, Carvalhal worked alongside Lage at Swansea and Wednesday.
Spaniard Javi Gracia is reportedly another name on Wolves’ managerial wishlist. Currently without a club; the 52-year-old could consider himself hard done by after becoming a victim of Watford-s trigger-happy regime in 2019.
Gracia had, after all, led Watford to an FA Cup final a couple of months earlier. Not to mention an 11th place finish.
Bruno Lage sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers
“Bruno is an excellent coach,” explains Shi. “A hardworking and dedicated manager, and a warm, wise and honest man.
“He and his staff have been a pleasure to work with throughout their time at Wolves. So it is with much sadness that we have had to make what has been a difficult decision.
“I honestly have no doubts about Bruno’s ability, and I’m sure he will succeed elsewhere, however the team’s form and performances over the last few months mean that we have no choice but to act.
“On behalf of everyone at Wolves, I would like to place on record our gratitude to Bruno and his coaching team for all their efforts during their time with the club, and wish them the very best for the future.”
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