‘They must be aware of the health of the players’: Nuno Espirito Santo urges Premier League to give teams in Europe an extended break as Wolves get ready for Europa League restart
- Wolves resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday against Olympiacos
- Wolves drew the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-1 in Athens back in March
- Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could play until August 21 if they reach the final
- If Wolves reach final they would have to resume domestic duty on September 20
Nuno Espirito Santo believes the Premier League will give Wolves a breather before next season as they prepare for their 58th match of a marathon campaign.
Wolves face Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday knowing a goalless draw would be enough to send them into the quarter-finals, to be staged across four German cities on Monday and Tuesday.
Nuno’s men reported for pre-season training on June 27 last year and their first game was against Northern Irish club Crusaders in the Europa League’s second qualifying round on July 25.
Nuno Espirito Santo called for the Premier League to give teams in Europe an extended break
The three-month suspension for coronavirus means their season has entered its 54th week.
Wolves are set to be given at least a 30-day break between their final European game and their first match of 2020-21.
And Nuno said: ‘I’m sure they will look at it and adjust the schedule. I’m hopeful the Premier League will allow the teams involved a little bit more time. We know we have a tight schedule next season and they must be aware of the health of the players and must take care of them.
Wolves started their 2019-20 campaign last July in the Europa League qualifying rounds
‘The Premier League should acknowledge the teams involved in Europe, depending on how far they go, as the players require more time to recover. We are going to play in August and we’re going to start playing again in September.
‘No team will be able to give too much time for the players to recover. It’s why we’re approaching it as a continuation of what we’ve been doing so we’re prepared to start again.’
Nuno believes his players will need at least three weeks off to recharge batteries before beginning a pre-season campaign, but under the current plans that may not be possible. If Wolves reach the Europa League final, scheduled for August 21, they would have to resume domestic duty on September 20 — eight days after the official start date for the next Premier League campaign.
Wolves host Olympiacos on Thursday, and head into the second leg of the last-16 tie level at 1-1
‘There is not the time for a proper recovery,’ he said. ‘It’s important from a mental point of view to disconnect to regain the motivation for a new cycle.
‘If you look at previous years, even players who were involved in national teams had three weeks, but let’s wait and see what’s possible.’
WOLVES (3-4-3, probable): Rui Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Podence.