On the eve of Wolves’ last encounter with Everton, most would have assumed that if either team was to be scrapping to avoid relegation on the penultimate weekend of the season, it would be Wolves. However, going into that game at Goodison Park on 26 December, Wolves had taken one point from the five matches before the World Cup and were bottom of the table. Fortunately, they had a new manager in former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, who had reversed a previous decision to turn down the chance to succeed Bruno Lage. Wolves beat Everton thanks to Rayan Ait-Nouri’s stoppage-time winner and this was the start of a sequence of results that included notable home wins against Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa. They have since become only the fourth side in the Premier League era to survive after being bottom on Christmas Day and did it with three games to spare.
Lopetegui’s input was huge in Wolves’ survival. During a training camp in Marbella, the response of his players was impressive and he got to know Matt Hobbs, who had taken over as technical director following Scott Sellars’ exit. The pair hit it off instantly and this paid dividends. Wolves set themselves a lofty target of bringing in six new players in January and, after a slow start, they got their six players. Lopetegui’s charm and charisma played a part in persuading one of them to join. Huge improvement by the likes of Nelson Semedo and Max Kilman led to better results and Lopetegui introduced the concept of a ‘clean sheet meal’, where the first-team squad would go out together for a meal if they didn’t concede.
Wolves now look forward to a sixth consecutive top flight season for the first time since the 1970s and there is a reset at the club with a strategy they are in control of. Financial Fair Play issues have brought an added focus around what happens next for Wolves and there is expected to be a lot of transfer business this summer. Lopetegui is pushing for improvements to his squad and there is certainty and clarity over the direction Wolves are headed.