Wolves have shown that they’re open to rehiring after pursuing Gary O’Neil, and Jorge Mendes may have another suggestion.
Mendes has had his fingers in the cookie jar at Wolves since Fosun took over back in 2016.
The Portuguese agent has serious influence at the club, and has been responsible for much of the recruitment — good and bad — that has gone on at Wolves in the last ten years.
Reports out of Molineux suggest that influence hasn’t waned, and he may well be involved in finding Wolves a new manager.
Former Wolves manager Bruno Lage still a client of Jorge Mendes
Gary O’Neil has withdrawn from Wolves manager contention, but the fact that he was the leading candidate indicates that reverting back to an old coach is on the table.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been tipped for a Wolves return in the future, but the timing is not right as he has just taken up the same role at West Ham.
Perhaps Bruno Lage is a viable option.
He spent last season at Benfica, winning the league cup and finishing just two points behind champions Sporting Lisbon. He was replaced by Jose Mourinho early this season after losing to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Currently without a club, Lage could be someone floated by Mendes this week. Whether you think that’s a good idea is another question.
Bruno Lage’s Wolves career
Lage had some pretty big boots to fill when he came to Molineux, replacing compatriot Nuno in 2021.
His first season at Wolves was mostly successful, managing to stay in the top eight of the Premier League from December until the final day, when they dropped to tenth.
The following season saw plenty of optimism doing the rounds at Wolves, but Lage’s new-look side wouldn’t take off.
Lage made it to October before being dismissed, with Julien Lopetegui taking his place.
The Portuguese’s time at Wolves is hard to judge. He was coming into a side that had only known one manager since gaining promotion to the Premier League, and Lage couldn’t get the same tune out of the squad.
Lage record for Wolves
| Played | Win | Loss | Draw |
| 51 | 19 | 9 | 23 |
The idea of a failed manager returning doesn’t sit well with Wolves fans, which is very fair. It’s an unusual way to think.
- READ MORE: Gary O’Neil return rumours, how four former Premier League bosses fared on their return to clubs
That being said, Mendes is nothing if not a brilliant negotiator, and until he doesn’t have a candidate that benefits him to push, nothing can be ruled out.