"The lengthy International break for the World Cup preceded the mid season arrival of Julen Lopetegui who had been brought in to replace Bruno Lage at Wolves, it enabled him to have a mini pre-season to implement his ideas, which had guided Sevilla to a Europa League trophy and three consecutive top-four finishes".
It wasn’t just tactical changes that Lopetegui, described as charismatic at the time, introduced. Lage, much like Moyes failed to ever impart his personality on the squad, team bonding was sacrificed for long and laborious running sessions, leaders were ousted and Wolves became a team that played in the dour personality of their manager.
The usually reserved Lopetegui punched his chest in the front of the supporters in his first meeting which got supporters on his side instantly. Lopetegui quickly identified fitness as a major issue and made it an immediate priority. Double sessions were introduced from the off with the aim of making his side one capable of impacting games in the latter stages, just running sideways wasn't enough! A club wide meal time was put back on the menu with the hope of rebuilding some team spirit.
On Boxing Day, Loeptegui’s first game in charge, Wolves were trailing 1-0 at Goodison Park with the chance for Everton to move seven points clear of their opponents.
Podence drew them level, before Ait-Nouri’s injury-time goal secured victory. Lopetegui began picking up results with a squad he had yet to put his own stamp on.
He was then backed in the January window, with record signing Mathues Cunha arriving to add some extra guile. But it was the shrewd acquisitions of Hammers own Craig Dawson and Mario Lemina, who instantly improved the spine of the side. Dawson in particular having been immense ever since then.
Levels of pressing increased, intensity went up and once Wolves looked like a team ready to fight for their manager. Bad days culminated with Lopetegui happy to accept responsibility, rather than pile the pressure on his team.
Wolves picked up 29 of their 40 points in front of their own fans. Under Lopetegui Wolves won seven games at Molineux without conceding a goal. Their 10 home clean sheets were the most in the division at the time, and they boasted wins over Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa under their new head coach
Wolves were a different proposition away from home. For the most part, they were awful. Lopetegui then had to watch on as Neves, Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez were all sold because of funds suddenly drying up due to the Chinese economic crisis.
Lopetegui stated that keeping Wanderers in the Premier League was the biggest achievement of his illustrious career. Few that watched Wolves before that World Cup break would disagree.
They were bottom at Christmas, and in the last 10 seasons before, only two sides bottom after 15 games had stayed up!
Of course it all ended in tears because Lopetegui had been made various promises about about funding for new players which were NOT kept, making his position untenable, so he walked! Many managers would have just acquiested, but he was a man who stuck to his guns!-Ed
