Analyzing Bruno Lage: Wolverhampton Wanderers’ New Head Coach

05/07/21 2267

Nuno Espirito Santo’s four-year reign as Wolves boss came to an end in May, much to the surprise of the Molineux faithful.

The Portuguese guided the club to the 2017/18 Championship title before securing back-to-back seventh-place finishes in the Premier League.

Wolves even qualified for the UEFA Europa League under Nuno’s watch, reaching the quarter-finals of Europe’s secondary club competition in 2019/20.

But following a disappointing 2020/21 campaign, Nuno left the club by “mutual consent”, despite having signed a new three-year deal in September 2020.

Just days after Nuno’s departure, Wolves appointed former Benfica boss Bruno Lage as their new head coach.

But who exactly is Bruno Lage? What will he bring to Wolverhampton? And can he help the club to challenge for European football again?

Let’s find out.

• Who is Bruno Lage?

Bruno Miguel Silva do Nascimento, known as Bruno Lage, is a 45-year-old Portuguese manager, hailing from Setubal.

Following a short and insignificant player career, Lage took up his first coaching role all the way back in 1997, managing Vitoria Setubal’s youth team.

After a series of other coaching roles, he coached Benfica’s youth teams between 2004 and 2012, gaining vital experience along the way.

Between 2015 and 2018, Lage was an assistant coach to Carlos Carvalhal, first at Sheffield Wednesday and then at Swansea City.

He then managed Benfica B for the 2018/19 campaign before being given the role as Benfica’s first-team head coach the following season.

Despite leading Benfica to the Primeira Liga title and a Portuguese Super Cup triumph, Lage left Benfica in June 2020.

• What is Lage’s Coaching Style?

If his time at Benfica is anything to go by, Lage looks set to deploy an attack-minded approach when he gets going at Molineux.

He made a name for himself as an offensive manager during his time with the Eagles, meaning Wolves fans can expect a similar style.

Lage’s willingness to attack is underlined by the fact that Benfica notched the biggest Primeira Liga margin of victory since 1965 under his watch.

Benfica crushed Nacional 10-0 back in February 2020, setting a new record for the biggest win at the new Estadio da Luz.

With exciting forwards such as Pedro Neto, Adama Traore, Daniel Podence, Raul Jiminez and Fabio Silva at his disposal, Lage will sure be eager to get started.

• Will Lage Be a Success at Wolves?

Of course, it is still early days. Although it is difficult to predict how Lage will fare at Molineux, he has the potential to make Wolves a solid top-half side next term.

Just like Nuno, Lage will be welcomed by a huge Portuguese contingent at the West Midlands club, making him feel right at home.

If Lage can pick up where Nuno left off while adding his own spin on things, he could achieve something special with Wolves’ talented squad.