Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked boss Bruno Lage after Saturday’s two-goal defeat at West Ham left them in the Premier League relegation zone.
Lage – who was appointed Wolves boss last summer to replace Nuno Espirito Santo – has overseen a long-term slump in form at Molineux with just one victory in their opening eight Premier League matches this campaign following last season’s concerning finish which saw the side finish without a league victory in their final seven games.
Wolves are the lowest scoring team in the Premier League with just three goals in their opening eight matches, continuing their concerning form in front of goal last season: their 38 Premier League goals was the lowest of any team to avoid relegation.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “Bruno is an excellent coach, 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.”
Lage took the Midlands club to a respectable top-half finish in his first season at the helm but their hopes of European football tailed off in the closing weeks of the season with an alarming seven-game winless run, which was to carry on into this season.
Expectations at the club were raised this summer after a transfer spend that exceeded £120million with Portuguese internationals Matheus Nunes and Goncalo Guedes signed from Sporting CP and Valencia respectively, defender Nathan Collins joined from Burnley, Hee-chan Hwang’s loan move from RB Leipzig was made permanent and striker Sasa Kalajdzic arrived from Stuttgart.
Austrian Kalajdzic, 25, suffered a knee ligament injury during his debut in his side’s 1-0 win over Southampton – their only Premier League victory to date this season – and there are fears the striker could miss the majority of the campaign.
Have Your Say! What are your thoughts on Wolves parting ways with Lage ? Tell us what you think here.
Kalajdzic’s absence had left the club short in striking options, with Raul Jimenez also suffering with fitness troubles, prompting Wolves to sign former Chelsea striker Diego Costa as a free agent after the transfer window had closed.
Yet the side’s bluntness in the final third and lack of creativity in attack has ultimately cost them matches. Wolves have failed to score in five of their eight league games this season and the sole occasion where they have scored more than one goal in 15 matches was a 2-2 draw at Chelsea last season.
The club have now parted ways with former Benfica boss Lage as they hope for a quick turnaround in results. Wolves have confirmed that Steve Davis and James Collins will prepare the team this week for their upcoming trip to Chelsea.
