Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be looking at potential replacements for Nuno Espirito Santo – if he decides to leave the club.
According to the Daily Mail, the process of identifying candidates has begun, as the club prepares for life after the Portuguese.
Nuno has recently reiterated that he has a contract at Molineux.
But Jose Mourinho losing his job at Tottenham Hotspur has led to speculation the north Londoners may eventually turn to the Wolves boss.
He was recently linked with the job (Express), and the Super League no longer happening may make a move more likely.
The Mail say that Bruno Lage is an option – as was reported last weekend (Jornal de Noticias) – but also Vitor Pereira, formerly of Porto and Fenerbahce and Rui Faria, who was Jose Mourinho’s assistant for 17 years.
Faria, 45, was described by Mourinho has being a ‘football expert’ at the time of his right-hand man leaving Manchester United (via TEAMtalk).
All three men are currently out of work, and have connections to super-agent Jorge Mendes.
The report adds that there is likely to be interest in Nuno from Spain this summer, which is a move he could consider in order to be closer to his family back in Portugal.
Just in case
It’s good that Wolves are drawing up contingency plans just in case Nuno actually does depart.
He is obviously a coveted individual for all he has done at Wolves.
But it probably isn’t too likely he’ll jump ship given the way he has spoken.