Wolves Coach Nuno Espírito Santo Biography, Football Career, Tactics, Honors

Nuno Espírito Santo Biography 

Nuno Espírito Santo born Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo known simply as Nuno as a player, is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is the head coach of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

During his career Espírito Santo first made a name for himself in Spain, playing for three teams in five years. He later returned to Portugal to represent Porto and also played professionally in Russia; Espírito Santo was part of the Portuguese squad at Euro 2008, but never won a cap for the national team.

In 2012, Espírito Santo became a manager, leading Rio Ave to both domestic cup finals in 2014 before taking the reins at Valencia.

Nuno Espírito Santo Age

Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo was born on 25 January 1974 in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe. He is 45 years old as of 2019.

Nuno Espírito Santo Tactics

Espírito provides Wolves with a fantastic platform to counter attack from. They drop into a deep 5-3-2 and use the front two to press the opposition’s defensive midfielders before breaking into the channels. Wolves are tactically a very interesting proposition and have been a fantastic addition to the Premier League.

Nuno Espírito Santo Career

Nuno Espírito Santo Goalkeeper

Club

Born in São Tomé, Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe, Nuno began his football career with Vitória S.C. in Guimarães, battling from age 20 with veteran Neno for first-choice status. He was acquired by La Liga’s Deportivo de La Coruña in January 1997, but would spend three of his six seasons in Galicia on loan, backing up Jacques Songo’o from 1996 to 1998 and José Francisco Molina from 2001 to 2002) when he was part of the team.

Nuno Espírito Santo Photo

In 1999–2000, as Nuno represented CP Mérida in the Spanish second division, he won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy and helped the side finish sixth, but it would be relegated to the third level due to irregularities. The following season Nuno was loaned to CA Osasuna, going on to rank seventh in the Zamora as his team finished only one point above the relegation zone in the top tier.

In July 2002, FC Porto paid €3 million to bring Nuno back from Spain, as part of Jorge Andrade’s deal. During a 2003 Taça de Portugal match against Varzim SC, Nuno was allowed by manager José Mourinho to convert a penalty kick, scoring the club’s last goal in a 7–0 home routing. Nuno replaced club great Vítor Baía on 12 December 2004, during extra time of the Intercontinental Cup final penalty shootout victory against Once Caldas; however, in January, Nuno was sold to Russian Premier League’s FC Dynamo Moscow.

Again in January, in 2007, he returned to Portugal for a stint with C.D. Aves, eventually relegated from the Primeira Liga. In July Nuno returned to Porto, backing up Brazilian Helton during most of his spell.

Nuno again played second-fiddle to Helton during the 2008–2009 season appearing in only four games, but was the starter throughout the domestic cup campaign, including the final win (1–0) against F.C. Paços de Ferreira.

International

Nuno represented Portugal at the 1996 Summer Olympics, playing four matches for the fourth-placed team. Uncapped, Nuno was called to the full squad competing in UEFA Euro 2008, replacing the injured Quim.

Nuno Espírito Santo Coaching Career

Beginnings

Porto announced on 21 June 2010 that Nuno’s contract would not be renewed. The 45-year-old said he would always support Porto as he left. After his retirement Nuno rejoined former Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira, moving to Málaga CF as a goalkeeping coach; the pair signed for Panathinaikos FC in November 2010.

Rio Ave

Rio Ave F.C. sacked manager Carlos Brito in May 2012 and announced the appointment of Espírito Santo. In his second season in charge, Espírito Santo qualified the team to both the Taça de Portugal and Taça da Liga finals, also taking it to the UEFA Europa League for the first time in its history.

Valencia

On 4 July 2014, Espírito Santo signed a one-year contract with Valencia CF in La Liga, replacing fired Juan Antonio Pizzi. On 12 January 2015, he agreed to an extension to keep him at the club until 2018 and Santo eventually led it to the fourth place in his first year, highlights including a 2–1 home win over Real Madrid and a 2–2 away draw against the same opponent, while he was named La Liga Manager of the Month three times, Santo resigned on 29 November 2015, following a 0–1 away defeat to Sevilla FC.

Porto

Espírito Santo signed a two-year contract with Porto on 1 June 2016,, replacing former head coach José Peseiro. The following 22 May, however, after a season devoid of silverware which included a second place in the league, Santo was relieved of his duties.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Espírito Santo was named as the new head coach of English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 31 May 2017, signing a three-year deal. Santo was voted the competition’s Manager of the Month in November as his team won all four of their games, scoring 13 times.

Espírito Santo led the club to the Premier League after a six-year absence, achieving promotion with four matches remaining in the season and being confirmed as champions with two games to spare. It was announced on 10 July 2018, that his contract had been extended until 2021.

Espírito Santo was awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month title in the month of September 2018 managing in the English top division after his team went unbeaten, accruing ten points from four matches and only conceding one goal. It was the first time that a Wolverhampton Wanderers manager had secured the award, even though it came in the club’s fifth season in the competition.

Nuno Espírito Santo Managerial Statistics

Nuno Espírito Santo Honours

Player

Deportivo

• Copa del Rey: 2001–02

Porto

• Primeira Liga: 2002–03, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09
• Taça de Portugal: 2002–03, 2008–09
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2003, 2004, 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
• UEFA Cup: 2002–03
• Intercontinental Cup: 2004
• Taça da Liga runner-up: 2009–10

Individual

• Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 1999–2000 (Segunda División)

Manager

Rio Ave

• Taça de Portugal runner-up: 2013–14
• Taça da Liga runner-up: 2013–14
• Wolverhampton Wanderers

EFL Championship: 2017–18

Individual

• La Liga Manager of the Month: September 2014, December 2014, February 2015
• EFL Championship Manager of the Month: November 2017
• LMA Manager of the Year: 2017–18 EFL Championship
• Premier League Manager of the Month: September 2018