Wolves staff profiles
Pen pics of Wolves' coaching, performance and analytics staff. For more profiles, click HERE.
HEAD COACH/ SPORTING DIRECTOR
HEAD COACH
Nuno Espirito Santo
Nationality: Portuguese
Led Wolves back to the promised land of the Premier League in his first season in charge. Previously managed Rio Ave, Valencia and Porto. A former goalkeeper of some repute, he was in Portugal's squad at Euro 2008 but never played.
SPORTING DIRECTOR
Kevin Thelwell
Nationality: English
Wolves' Academy manager since 2008 and their Sporting Director since September 2016. Gave an excellent insight into his role HERE.
ASSISTANTS
ASSISTANT
Rui Pedro Silva
Nationality: Portuguese
Hails from Porto and was on the coaching staff with Santo at Panathinaikos. Was his assistant at Rio Ave, Porto, Valencia and now Wolves.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
Ian Cathro
Nationality: Scottish
First met Santo on an SFA coaching course in 2009 and linked up with him at Rio Ave three years later. Followed him to Valencia, before becoming Steve McClaren's assistant at Newcastle. Spell as manager of Hearts lasted less than a year.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
Julio Figueroa
Nationality: Portuguese
Appointed shortly after Santo, when pre-season had started last season. Key figure in terms of training and tactics.
GOALKEEPER COACH
Rui Barbosa
Nationality: Portuguese
Another of Santo's key lieutenants, who arrived with him from Portugal. Gave this detailed analysis of Man City's style of play last December. Described the English style as "favouring crosses into the box."
FITNESS
Antonio Dias
Nationality: Portuguese
Arrived with Santo when the manager was appointed last May.
PERFORMANCE & MEDICAL
HEAD OF MEDICAL
Phil Hayward
Nationality: English
Started career as an NHS physio. Joined Wolves Academy in 2008, before being promoted to Head of Medical in September 2012.
REHAB COACH
Joao Lapa
Nationality: Portuguese
Another of Santo's countrymen, who had most recently worked for SC Olhanense in Portugal.
PHYSIO
Ollie Leaper
Nationality: English
Previously worked for Birmingham and Watford. Joined Wolves in April 2017.
SOFT TISSUE THERAPIST
Matt Wignall
Nationality: English
Joined in 2006. Promoted to first-team duties in October 2012.
THERAPIST
Rui Fuste
Nationality: Portuguese
Appointed a few weeks after Santo took over in May 2017.
SPORTS THERAPIST
Danny Fishwick
Nationality: English
Appointed in March 2017 following a year at Fleetwood Town.
DOCTOR
Dr Matthew Perry
Nationality: English
Retired as a GP in 2014. Was appointed as medical advisor to the Premier League four years ago, but continued to work at Molineux.
LEAD S&C
Richard Kirby
Nationality: English
Responsible for strength and conditioning in the gym and on the pitch. Joined the club in December 2014.
ANALYSIS
HEAD OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Andrew Findlay
Nationality: English
Moved to the club in October 2017 from Manchester United, where he had spent four and a half years. Previous spells with Irish and Scottish FAs and Manchester City.
ANALYST
Tom Male
Nationality: English
Responsible for use/ analysis of GPS at first-team and Academy levels.
ANALYST
Mathew Pearson
Nationality: English
Graduate of Liverpool John Moores who has worked for the Qatar FA and Aspire. Joined Wolves' Academy in February 2017, before being promoted to the first team in August 2017.
ASSISTANT ANALYST
John Boston
Nationality: English
Intern at Leicester City before joining Wolves as an intern in July 2015.
