Julen Lopetegui described keeping Wolves in the Premier League as his greatest achievement, as he prepares his now safe side for the final three matches.
Bottom at Christmas when Lopetegui took charge of his first match, Wolves’ season has been transformed, and victory over Aston Villa last weekend was the final checkpoint – mission accomplished for the Spaniard. The head coach reflects on achieving his aim and looks ahead to the final three, as he conducted his pre-match media duties before the trip to Manchester United on Saturday.
On achieving his aim at Wolves
“It was a very difficult situation for a lot of reasons. We were bottom with ten points, four points from the next team. It was difficult, but fortunately in the end the players we have worked very hard. To have this achievement three matches before the end of the season I think is a very big success for the club, for the players, for the fans and for us.
“The most important thing is if you believe or not. I believed we were able to change the situation, knowing that it’s a big risk. A lot of people called me crazy, that I didn’t need to go to the bottom of the Premier League, but in the moment my feeling was that I believed. It was a challenge for me and my staff. We came here believing, trying to do our best and to tell the players that we were able to change our aim. Fortunately, we got there and of course we’re happy.”
On his decision to take the job
“It was a challenge for me as a coach. I like the hard challenge, that’s why I’m a coach. Our life is not easy in a lot of moments. For me to come to one other country, one other league, the best league in the world and in a dangerous situation was a challenge.
“I wanted a challenge and for me it’s a lesson to be able to change anything about myself, to be able to help this kind of team to be out of relegation.”
🔟 clean sheets at home.
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 9, 2023
Molineux making the difference 👏 pic.twitter.com/uTyFhclngS
On his biggest achievement
“I believe it’s true. It’s very difficult to be free of the relegation after arriving on Boxing Day bottom. I have read different years and it’s the fourth time that when you are on the bottom on Boxing Day, you are free at the end. It’s very difficult first and foremost. I think it’s been the most difficult achievement.
“It’s difficult to win one Europa League, to put Sevilla three times consecutively in the Champions League, but for me this is the most difficult achievement in my career. I am happy for this achievement and now we are trying to put our focus for the next match against Man United.”
On his aims for the final three
“Aim is to do the same in the next three matches. We have ambition and we are going to try to see more players and all of them have to be ready. After, of course, we are going to put our best. We are playing against teams fighting for different aims, for the Champions League, the Premier League or relegation. We have to be honest, be professional, of course. We are going to play at Old Trafford, it’s the most important reason to be ready to go there with our best Sunday clothes.
“It’s better to have this situation. We didn’t want to go to the last match without knowing our future. It’s going to be important and we are going to try to take advantage of this situation.”
On team news for Old Trafford
“Fortunately, we don’t have new injuries. We are going to be ready with all the players and after it’s going to be about our choices.”
On facing Man United
“I think that they are very good team. A top team with top players, a good coach, with a very clear idea the way to play. They are fighting in a very good position to be in the next Champions League. In the Premier League, this is a very difficult achievement, that’s why they are a very top team. Above all, they play at Old Trafford.
“We are aware the kind of match we are going to have. We have to be ready to compete with them. We have closed our achievement, but we have ambition to go there to play well and compete with them. If not, you’ve lost, if you’re not ready to compete and they’re going to roll over you.”
