The head coach marked his final game in front of returning supporters at Molineux, and was visibly touched by the reception he received, but admits the bond he created with fans will stay in his memory forever.
On emotional reception from the supporters
“I’m holding up ok. On the inside, it’s tough. I promised that I would stay strong, but it was very special, very emotional. I will miss it.
“It was very special. The moment we arrived at Molineux and we saw this crowd, it shows what we had and what we feel for each other. There is a lot of love. It was many years of our lives and very special moment that we have created, a very special moment.
“It means a lot. It means football is back and this is the first game of the football we love with fans, and the atmosphere, it was special.
“I look back on all these years and I want to really say a big thank you to all of our fans, to the club, to the ownership, to the players, because they were amazing every day, so a big, big thank you. This will stay in our memories forever.”
On final moments with staff and players
“I thanked each and every one of them for all the effort, all the commitment, the help, in tough moments how we celebrated together. But we really are a pack.
“We have a special spirit and a special bond. It’s like a family and it feels like the love that we have for each other, the respect that we show on a daily basis. I’m very thankful for all these special moments.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 23, 2021
On highlights from his time in charge
“Since the beginning, when we arrived, we arrived from our own country, and we found a club that needed energy, and that’s what we tried to put in every single day, this energy, this idea to grow, to improve until the end.
“We fight for these four years and see that we love each other, the club and those of us who arrived, we build something together. It cannot be any highlight in particular.
“This is the highlight; how we did it during those four seasons.”
On reflecting on final season
“The boys showed character until the end of the season. There are many situations, but today was an intense game, and we tried.
“Circumstances have had a direct influence on the team. We had bad injuries and injuries to important players, but at the same time we found solutions.
“We put young players inside, we tried to do the best for the team and it was a tough season but it is a season with all the circumstances I reflect on it and I am very proud.”
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 23, 2021
On the club’s future without him
“I leave them in a good position. In a good position for the future, with a young squad, players totally committed, so the foundation is here. I wish them all the best, from the bottom of my heart.
“The squad is young, it has experience and it has talent in all the aspects. The foundation is here and the commitment of the players will go on forever.”
