Back in October 2022, Wolves parted ways with Bruno Lage.
The Portuguese coach had enjoyed a relatively successful first season at Molineux, and had threatened to challenge for Europe, before finishing a respectable 10th.
There was optimism that, despite some poor results at the end of 2021/22, Wolves could kick on.
But that was not the case, and Wanderers ended up going backwards.
Bruno Lage was fired by Wolves after a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United left the club in the relegation zone.
After leaving Wolves, Lage then became the manager of Brazilian club Botafogo. But it was a disastrous spell, and he was sacked after just a few months following an eight-game winless run.
Lage then replaced Roger Schmidt back at Benfica and there have been much happier times for him since returning – and this weekend could see him achieve something special.
Former Wolves head coach Bruno Lage could win the title again with Benfica
This weekend, the title race in the Liga Portugal will be contested by Sporting CP and Lage’s Benfica.
The teams both sit on 79 points from their 33 games, but Sporting are top on goal difference (+59 to Benfica’s +56).
Sporting take on Vitoria SC who are fifth after a solid season, while Benfica play against fourth-placed SC Braga.
It will be fascinating to see what unfolds, but Lage has – of course – already won the league title once before with Benfica.
He guided the club to the league title in 2018/19 after coming in midway through the season to replace Rui Vitoria.
Jeff Shi prediction about Bruno Lage could ring true
It would be nice to see Lage win his second title this weekend.
Ultimately he failed at Wolves. Some players had checked out under Lage and grown frustrated with his lengthy team meetings. But arguably, he was not adequately supported by his superiors in the summer of 2022.
Lage has since accepted he wasn’t forceful enough at Wolves with certain things he wanted.
But there were moments where Wolves looked like they could be successful under him.
Despite sacking him, chairman Jeff Shi insisted at the time that Lage was still a great coach, saying (via BBC Sport): “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.”
Shi also tipped Lage to succeed elsewhere, and winning a league title would certainly constitute success.
“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,” he added.
That prediction may well end up ringing true this weekend, and hopefully Lage’s reputation can finally improve after the failures at his last two clubs.