Nuno to leave Wolves at the end of the season

The club announced the news in a shock statement on the Wolves website, after the 47-year-old had held his pre-match press conference ahead of their final Premier League game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Portuguese manager has spent four seasons in the Black Country, earning the club promotion to the Premier League after a phenomenal season in the Championship, following that up with two consecutive seventh-placed finishes.

He famously helped lead Wolves into the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season, losing to eventual winners Sevilla.

This season he saw injuries seriously diminish his squad, and has overseen the club as they sit 12th in the Premier League table with a single game remaining.

In the shock statement, the club confirmed that the decision was made for him to leave by mutual agreement.

"Wolves can confirm head coach Nuno Espírito Santo will leave the club, by mutual agreement, after Sunday’s match against Manchester United." the statement read.

"In four seasons at Molineux, Nuno has led Wolves to the Premier League as EFL Championship champions and recorded back-to-back seventh placed finishes in the top-flight.

"His side became the first Wolves team to reach the quarter-finals of European competition for nearly 50 years, and he will exit the club as its fifth longest serving manager of the post-war era."

Nuno himself issued his own comments, sharing his thanks to supporters, staff and players.

"Firstly, I want to thank the supporters, who have all played such an important part in helping us reach new heights for Wolves, and the people of the city, who embraced us and made us feel at home." he said.

"I, of course, want to thank all of the staff at Wolves, for their support and total commitment, every single day.

"Most importantly, I want to thank each-and-every player that we’ve worked with since the day we started, for their loyalty, their dedication, hard work and talent. They are the ones who have made this amazing journey possible for us.

"Sunday will be a very emotional day, but I am so happy that the fans will be back in Molineux and we can share one last special moment together, as one pack."

Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi said: "Nuno has brought us some incredibly special moments at Wolves that will never be forgotten, but every chapter comes to an end."

"His loyalty and dedication over the last four years has been immeasurable, and we cannot thank him enough for the progress he has made for Wolves.

"Sunday was already going to be a very special day, welcoming our supporters back for the first time in more than a year; but it will also now be a fitting goodbye for someone who will forever remain an important part of Wolves history."

Wolves fans will be in attendance for Nuno's final game in charge of the club for the clash with Manchester United, with supporters welcomed back for the first time in more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.