Talk of Nuno staying or going evokes memories of Bully in ’95 and the time he was off to Coventry.
Nearly 30 years have passed since The Clash barked along to a Midlands Today montage and in all the years since, only Nuno is worthy of mention in the same ‘cult’ conversation.
‘Darling you got to let me know, should I stay or should I go?’
In Bully’s case, being supplied by Salako, Huckerby and company – off the shoulder of Dion Dublin – was a bloody enticing Premier League prospect, but then they say that love is blind.
For odds-on new Arsenal manager favourite Nuno, similar short-term gratification would be far less immediate. And despite what Twitter is reporting, I not only can’t see him leaving for London, but I actually think the rumour is serving as a positive.
Here are the reasons why…
1. I heard on the grapevine that Nuno was less than impressed at not being backed to the levels he wanted over the summer (I heard this shortly before our Man City win) and wants more support in January. He could, conceivably, use this situation as a bartering tool to get that backing in a month or so, as he knows Fosun love him to bits and would do anything for him. I’d have no problem with this either.
Check out what Jeff Shi said on October 31: “We are always ready to invest, don’t worry about it. If we need to strengthen the squad, we have the capacity to do it – immediately, in January. We want to do the right deal. We understand our squad is still growing, but if we want to compete at a higher level, we need to give Nuno and the team more support.”
Now would seem an opportune time to remind Jeff that he wants to compete at a higher level.
2. On the premise that he wants to compete at a higher level, I’d wager that Wolves need only one, maybe two windows maximum to blow the bloody doors off the top 6, if not the top 4. A centre half, perhaps, and another option in midfield could well prove to be irresistible should we keep the rest of the squad fit and healthy. Looking at Arsenal, by their own fans’ admission, and they need an overhaul of their defence for starters, while the nous of Doherty and Jonny is hard to picture in the short term out wide, give or take Tierney? Is there anyone capable of dictating tempo in the middle of the park like Neves or Moutinho? Off the ball, let’s remember that Arsenal are an absolute mess of a side who refuse to do the basics, as epitomised by the slovenly Luiz – and 24 shots raining in on them in our recent draw.
Rebuilding this side takes time and as Nuno knows from his Valencia and Porto stints, time is one commodity not afforded to managers. In short, it’s arguably the right club at the wrong time.
3. Nuno’s cult status. It’s no coincidence that before and after every game, Nuno reserves a word of praise to us fans. (It still makes a pleasant change from the days of ‘Numpty’). Not only is his song an anthem, but he’s even got his own body moves for the lyrics. Compare with a twitter snapshot from the Gunners’ faithful: ‘Arsenal should liquidate if they go for Nuno’ / ‘Who is this Nuno Espirito guy? He is best when he is an underdog coach. It won’t work.’
To quote from another publication in recent times: ‘We have accrued a bond that’s rare in football. The Nuno love-in extends beyond a repertoire of songs, comedy merchandise and a regular swooning on social media whenever the man speaks, as if he were a fabled philosopher. It’s difficult to recall a more popular Wolves head coach/manager. Mick McCarthy had cult hero status too but the Yorkshireman always had his detractors who felt his old fashioned ways couldn’t take Wolves forward.’
Nuno said in 2018: “The fans are who we work for. When you have 5,600 of your fans at an away game you feel proud. The numbers have shown people follow us, people support us in all the stadiums and the atmosphere has been fantastic, at Molineux and away from home.”
Nuno said last night: “It requires a lot of effort to travel and be here on a night like this to support the team, that’s what makes us proud,” he said. “A journey that started in the Championship. I’m very proud.”
He knows what he means to us and we know what we mean to him.
To conclude
Any manager worth his salt would find the prospect of taking over at Arsenal an alluring one, but times change. The football landscape has changed, with Leicester City’s rise, Man Utd’s slump and an impending Liverpool title an example of this.
Pamela Anderson adorned every lads’ bedroom wall once upon a time, but the ravages of time take their toll. Nobody can keep up appearances forever and for the established ‘top 4’, new challengers lie in wait. Unpalatable as it is to hear, but Arsenal can’t demand the best because they’re a ‘big club’ (nor can Pammy because she’s pert!). It doesn’t count for anything. Did we not say similar in the Championship for 30 years or more as we failed to admit the truth, gazumped by one and all?!
The prospect of gatecrashing the likes of Arsenal is the very reason that Nuno will want to stay. And far from thinking he’s taken Wolves as far as he can (as Tim Spiers asked), he’ll surely be contemplating that this might just be the beginning – particularly after beating the fabled top clubs in the past year and knowing how tangible this all is.
With backing from billionaire owners, a fan base who genuinely adore him like a God and a leaderless Arsenal side whose fans boo their own captain, should he stay or should he go?
I don’t even think it’s a question worth asking.
Totally agree with all you say. Losing Nuno would be akin to Losing Bully all those years ago. He comes across as a man of honour and integrity. One day we will lose him, just not yet, at least not for another five years or so. As you say, he is adored by 99.9 % of Wolves fans. After listening to talk sport this morning, all the Arsenal supporters I heard, wanted a big name manager. Good, because we want to keep our big manager at our big club.
We love you Nuno.
Totally disagree Adrian, he is adored by 100% of the fans.
Great articulate piece …..A plus….take an apple out the bag
Nah, the other 0.1% just love him,lol.
One of the main reasons i love Nuno is that he is loyal and appreciative.
He knows what us supporters think of him and there isn’t one bad word to be heard from anyone about him.
Nothing would seem easier than to up sticks and move to a ready made ” big club” from somewhere which is arguably going to take another two seasons to get the team right let alone build a stadium anything like arsenal already have which could be three or four seasons away.
But the reason nuno is where he is is because of his morals he isn’t just in it for the money he wants to build something from the ground up and call it his own not do a mourinho and take over something thats already there, tidy it up a bit and then call it his own.
Nuno is his own man with his own team behind him and he does things his way.
He will not doff his cap to some multi billionaire yank who wants instant success.
I am certain he doesn’t want to go down that road.
But he also knows he has to be successful at Wolves as our owners are not renowned for resting on their laurels so which is the better option ?
He could take a quantum leap but would it be as short lived as unai emery s reign then what would he do ?
The managership merry go round… surely not.
Stability and mutal trust between owners and management build super clubs and teams that stand the test of time and thats what we have at wolves and the rest know it and would love to break it up.
Success will mean our manager and players will be constantly poached by the people who dont have the time or ability to make something themselves we have to get used to that .
Nuno Espirto Santo will have a statue and a stadium and a university named after him in Wolverhampton if he stays at Wolves and completes the job .
I for one am totally assured he intends to do that .
I think we all agree. Nuno’s personal qualities have been admirable thoughout his time with us. Humility, gratitude , respect. These are his players and his stamp is all over the club. This is a project he has ownership of and his input is vital. He says it’s a long term plan. So why give up before it’s finished to take on the leaking ship that is Arsenal?
The arrogance and entitlement of their fans is shocking but not surprising, the London media is nasty and unforgiving, Arsenal’s board has factions at war with each other.
No Nuno, don’t do it. Build your legacy then wait for the Portugal job. You would go with our blessing and the inevitable statue.
Well said Ben.
I see Wolves as Nuno’s team, not just a team he manages. He moved Coady from midfield to defence, a vision very few of us saw. He worked with Traore, and still is, to develop him from a sprinting headless chicken, to a player who now reads the game well, and who is still developing. He has bought in a number of key players who a few of us did not hear of, and look how they have fitted in. We (well me at least), were questioning the reason why he had bought Dendonker as we had not seen him play for a considerable time after his arrival, then …. boom. Nuno played him when he knew he was ready. A number of young talent brought in for “the future” etc etc.
Yes, this is certainly Nuno’s team and I see him believing this is just the beginning. Wolves are Nuno and Nuno is Wolves and he has just started on getting us back to where we wanted to be.
The Premier League has not been won by Wolves, the Europa League has not been won by Wolves, the League and FA Cups have not been won by Wolves for a long time, and the Champions League has not been won by Wolves. Not Yet. But ……. I believe under Nuno that these achievements are possible.
Nuno had a dream. Nuno is Wolves and in Nuno I trust.
Bang on Ben.
F— The Arsenal.
Short and to the point, Dorset. Well done.
Cheers Wolfstroker hope you are keeping ok.
Yeah good Dorset, thanks. And yourself I trust.
He can use this to negotiate more money but I don’t think he will leave.
I actually think that Nuno didn’t want more money spent, I thought it was Jeff pushing for enough new blood to challenge for the Champions League positions and Nuno wanted to progress year over year, slowly adding new players.
Interesting how different people see things so differently.
Good article Ben.
I think Nuno realises that HIS Wolves project is still ongoing and as a moral and decent man he would wish to see the project through.
I have huge respect for the man.
Once the project is matured who knows, but I will enjoy the journey and wish him all the best for the next project.
Plus what will I tell little Nuno when she grows up into a teenager?
Thanks, Ben. Great article. For me it was Linda Lusardi, not Pammy.
Totally agree that there is no sense in Nuno going to Arsenal. He hasn’t finished the Wolves project but his current popularity will stand him in good stead for the January window.
Quoted this one before. Bloke on the telly runs one of the supporters clubs. But he sign of deep rooted affection. When asked what he thought about Nuno he said this ” if I came home from work and found Nuno shagging my Mrs i’d mek him a bacon sandwich”. And the greasy spoon cafe in Wolvo with a sign in the window saying “if Nuno comes in he gets a free breakfast”. This is the absolute adoration we have for the great man. Forever humble. Always in praise of the opponent. Thoughtful. Intelligent. Appreciative. We love you Nuno.
Just seen a post on another forum link to Ian Dennis BBC football guru Twitter saying ‘Nuno is not a front runner’ for the Arsenal job.
Full Ian tweet:
“ Arsenal are interested in Mauricio Pochettino but he’s likely to wait to assess his options. Belgium Manager Roberto Martinez will fancy Arsenal but Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo will not be a front runner #afc #wwfc”
Somehow I don’t see Nuno as one of these ‘merry go round’ managers, here today, gone tomorrow. He has his own project at Wolves, has only recently begun to realise the fruits of it and knows that the backing is there to go much, much further. His name could go down in football history, like Shankly and Clough – men who took going-nowhere provincial clubs and turned them into European Champions. Leave and he could be stepping into an unknown political scenario, just like his time at Valencia. It really should be a no-brainer.
I think there will an outpouring of vitriol at The Mol on Sunday, against Arsenal and all the brain dead ‘experts” and bookies for having the gall to dream, let alone envisage our Dr. Nuno at any other English club.
Our signings of the past three years haven’t come to Wolverhampton for mid table mediocrity, they have come for Premier League and European success, and much will have been made of the stability and vision brought to the club by our management team.
Unless you are a true Wolves fan, you cannot understand the depth of affection we all have for this gentleman, who has literally transformed the club and our lives.
Yes, he will not be at the helm for ever, but didn’t the “experts” say the same about Fergie, and he didn’t do too bad of a job.
If you think you’ve seen a Wolves fan’s love fest, Nuno, wait until Sunday, when the roof is gonna come off the Mol.
So, I agree wholeheartedly with everyone else, Arsenal and all the rest can go stuff themselves.
Couldn’t agree more.
Been seeing a lot of arrogant and frankly ridiculous comments on Twitter from so called arsenal ‘fans’ basically saying he’s not good enough, never achieved anything, boring style of football blah blah.
If that’s the view they take, and hopefully that’s reflected at boardroom level, then let them spout their shit.
Nuno’s going nowhere.
Another lovely piece from the heart Ben, and I can’t disagree with any of it (apart from the Pamela Anderson bit. For me it was always Brigitte Bardot, but she would have been a bit past her prime by the time you would have been interested in that sort of thing).
I have always considered myself to be a reasonably good judge of character.
If Nuno is only half the man I think he is, he will remain loyal to Wolves.
He has the real chance of fulfilling his dream at a club who will back him and with supporters who love him.
Why give this up for a go at reviving a busted flush like Arsenal, whose fans constantly whine about their supposed ‘right’ to be a top four side and whose stadium has about as much atmosphere as Uranus.
If you read this blog Nuno, you know that the right decision is to stay and see this project through.
Nuno had a dream.
Dreams do come true.
Raquel Welch for me
Great article. I hope you’re right.
With agent Mendes working for Wolves, and the owners millions, as well as the overall Chinese wish to have a strong successful image overseas, I can’t see us letting the key man go. Nor do I believe he’d want to. The Portuguese contingent surely has been crucial, and they play with the other overseas players and the British as a really strong unit, with absolute respect and loyalty to Nuno. We’d lose so much if that bond was broken.
Just heard an Arsenal supporter speaking – clearly a guy who lives in the real world. He spoke of the arrogance of Arsenal and their supporters for thinking top coaches wherever they are just need Arsenal to whistle to run after them. The world turns and so called big clubs become bang average. Life’s like that.
Like all of us I desperately hope Nuno stays .
However I believe the contract he signed in 2017 expires next summer .Why has he not signed or been offered a new one after all he has done ?
I hope I am wrong about this so do correct me if I am wrong but does that say something unhelpful in this regard ?
Give him Anderson Talisca and he’ll stay. Watched some videos of him earlier today and was blown away by amazing goals and assists. Pure Brazilian magic. We also need some world class central defenders.
This won’t be the only time Nuno gets linked, Everton, Spurs, arsenal
And we haven’t had Man U yet which could happen around Xmas
If arsenal are miffed at us keeping their top six spot from them now, just wait another month when we start putting some real daylight between us
I hear dean Saunders is available
He could steady their ship till the end of the season
Utw
Very well written and insightful article. Hope you’re right.
Amidst all the observations and comments regarding Nuno, there are two things that strike me. Firstly, I think his contract expires at the end of next season. When the dust has settled after Arsenal have appointed their new manager it will be vitally important that wolves tie him down quickly to a new improved and extended deal. Secondly, in my opinion, the backdrop to any negotiation for all parties will be what the plan is for the term of the next contract. Progression and the real extent of our ambition will come sharply into focus. To that extent, one of the key indicators will be what we do in this upcoming window and the summer transfer window. For all the brilliant work that has been done and what this fantastic team/ staff have achieved so far, we now have to move on to another level. This does not necessarily mean colossal transfer payments but in the same way we bought in a statement signing in the championship e.g . Neves and again on entry into the pl e.g moutinho, I think we now need to do the same again to show that we are aspiring to establish ourselves in the top six and beyond.
Frikkin’ brilliant Ben.
I feel a lot happier after reading your offering.
I’d be both astonished and distraught if Nuno left for Arsenal, or anyone else for that matter. For sure, if it should come to pass, we wouldn’t be losing Nuno alone. Several of our finest players, his proteges, would be certain to follow as many of them only rolled up at the Mol in the first place because Nuno was here. But as I said, I’d be astonished if he did go. What kudos for him when he achieves our lofty ambitions from such lowly beginnings.
On other matters, bloggers thoughts on their dreamgirls of the past show a certain level of unrealistic ambition. Not for me the painted Hollywood glamourpuss. Give me Felicity Kendal every time.
It was always Marianne Faithful for me. Before the infamous police raid, the alleged incident with the mars bar and she got weird, obviously.
Quite like weird, me. Quite like Mars Bars too, actually.
100% Felicity. Yeah, I had the hots for her, her and Susan George.
Straw Dogs comes to mind Bromto’
ok then not raquel welch cause she is fantasy so hannah gordon will do please
I guess another reason Nuno would stay is because Wolves adapted well to his system. All the players realised the great improvement in our game. Not just results but also entertainment value. It took a bit of time to get used to it but time was on our side as we weren’t doing that well. I don’t believe The Arse would give him that time to change to the system he would want. Time won’t be on his side in London. Expectations will be grand and in a short time. Nuno is more than halfway there with Wolves. A few more 1st class players and a couple of seasons should see Wolves classed in the Big 7.
He is the Messiah. If he left I would loose all faith in football. We would go back to the old days within a couple of seasons.
I have faith in him.
What a strange feeling, our manager is wanted by another club. We usually need to have them collected kicking and screaming by the local abattoir with their pockets stuffed fullof money. Then if they ever do reappear again it’s usually a couple of divisions below as part of an ever descending spiral to oblivion.
I guess like many others i am currently living in absolute purgatory, constantly scouring the media, struggling to breathe as I read pointless articles by know-nothing London-based journo’s who spout drivel aimed at the North London ignorant elite. Reassuring them that the Emirates is indeed the new Bethlehem and that the football riches of Christendom will soon be laid before them, all they have to do is choose which ones they want.
But I can’t help reading it. I am terrified that the highpoint of my wolves experience in the 21at Century will be the third goal on Thursday night – Nuno and his team on the sideline, Raul Traore Joao Ruben Doc painting an artistic masterpiece on a crap canvas, qualified for next stage in Europa and sitting 5th in the league. This is indeed dreamland and a wonderful place to be, but this can’t be as good as it gets!
Please don’t tell me that Fosun won’t let that happen. I need Nuno to tell me face-to-face over a pint of Holden’s Golden and a packet of scratchings. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, I am his biggest fan and a wolves fan of long-standing.
In the meantime maybe I need to read Ben’s opening again.
Great write up Ben.
I don’t believe for a second that Nuno will leave. He’s the one who’s changed everything at this club, the team, the fans, the work ethic, everything. Why would he leave?
Even the wording over the tunnel as the teams walk out has been changed. It now reads “The strength of the Wolf is in the pack”. We are one pack & Nuno knows it
He wouldn’t have that with the Arsenal fans!
Bring on the oversized 2026 Nuno shirt, signalling a new contract in the next week.
The man has said and done nothing for us to believe he is on his way out. With that in mind… In Nuno we trust.
Lovely to see all you really old farts reminiscing about the girls you used to fantasize about!
Some of us don’t need viagra, yet, and our fantasies are still very much alive.
Mine, in no particular order, except the first one who wishes she could have me again are:
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Garner
( see a pattern here?)
Helen Mirren
And the tattooed lady from the corner store!!
Jennifer Eccles ?
No he meant Norah Batty.
LOL. 🙂
Is the tattooed lady the one with the white stick?
And two guide dogs.
So there’s 2 with a white stick & guide dogs as you’ve had the first one already?
Lmfao
Ben that’s a superb write up which echoes the Wolves family.
Being a supporter of our club for 40 + years I have never been so proud of everything WWFC stand for and Nuno is an intrinsic part of our club & my dreams.
#foreverwolves #forevernuno
Does Nuno want to start from scratch………..does he want to build a team up again on a budget yes I did say budget Arsenal spent £130 million in the summer they are still paying off the mortgage on there concrete soulless bowl………No I don’t think so.
Having been there himself he knows first hand there is NO atmosphere in the airline sponsored bowl. He’ll know and seen and heard what it’s like to be the Arse….senal manager first hand espeacilly when thing are not going Arse…..senals way.
Nuno should also know he has time on his side take Wolves to even higher heights and he can have his pick of clubs all over Europe not just North London.