Wolverhampton Wanderers have held talks with former manager Nuno Espírito Santo over a potential return to Molineux, according to The Athletic.
Nuno is being considered for the vacant role and is reportedly open to a return to Wolves just 18 months after leaving the club.
The Portuguese coach left Wolves at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He was replaced by Bruno Lage, who was sacked at the beginning of this month.
Lage did a decent job during his short tenure. He won the January Premier League manager of the month on the way to guiding his side to a tenth-place finish last season.
However, he was sent packing following an abysmal start to the season, where his side took just six points from their first eight league games.
Steve Davis and James Collins were tasked with leading the team on an interim basis while the club scoured the market for Lage’s successor.
But their first order of business saw them fall to defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Nuno reportedly has his heart set on an emotional reunion with Wolves where he enjoyed success.
He guided them from the Championship to successive seventh-placed Premier League finishes and a Europa League quarter-final.
The 48-year-old is currently managing Saudi-based club Al-Ittihad, where he signed a two-year contract after a short-lived stint with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Saudi club will be reluctant to see their manager leave. However, there is reportedly a willingness on both sides to explore a resolution after initial talks took place between Wolves and Nuno.
If negotiations to get Nuno out of his Al-Ittihad contract prove too complicated, Wolves have lined up other potential candidates.
They include Rob Edwards, who they interviewed following his departure from Watford. Wolves also held talks with ex-Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui.
However, the 56-year-old turned down the chance to move to the Premier League and opted to remain in Spain to care for his unwell father.
Wolves are currently languishing in the relegation zone after picking up just six points and the club’s hierarchy want a permanent manager in place before the World Cup.
While there is no shortage of options, Nuno has emerged as the favourite for the job.
