Wolves open talks with Nuno Espirito Santo over shock Molineux return

Nuno Espírito Santo is being considered for a shock return to Wolverhampton Wanderers and is open to returning to Molineux just 18 months after leaving the club. 

The Portuguese coach, 48, left the club before the start of last season and was replaced by Bruno Lage, who was sacked at the start of the month. 

Nuno, who had a short spell at Tottenham Hotspur last year, is among the managers being considered as Wolves look to revive their season following Lage’s departure. They have also interviewed Rob Edwards following his departure at Watford. 

But a potential return for Nuno would be a surprise after he left seemingly taking the club as far as he could having overseen promotion to the Premier League and masterminding European qualification in his four years. "We achieved our goals, we did it with passion and we did it together," was his parting message.   

It is understood that he would welcome a return to the club where he has spent the bulk of his career as a coach, having previous spells at Porto and Valencia.  

Edwards, 39, held preliminary talks with Wolves on Wednesday and is highly regarded by the club after 100 appearances as a player and his work with the academy. Julen Lopetegui was the No 1 choice to succeed Lage but the 56-year-old opted to remain in Spain to care for his father who is unwell.

Wolves are determined to conduct an extensive appointment process and while there is still interest in Mainz's Bo Svensson. But links with Pedro Martins, the former Olympiacos manager, have been dismissed.

Svensson would require compensation to release him from his German club, while Edwards and Nuno would be available without a fee, which would appeal to the club. Wolves face Nottingham Forest this weekend with caretaker coaches Steve Davis and James Collins expected to take charge of their second game.

Last Saturday, Wolves were beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to remain in the Premier League's relegation zone.