Bruno Lage is set to be appointed as the new Wolves manager to replace Nuno Espirito Santo.

The former Benfica coach, who has been out of work since last summer, is close to being confirmed and is likely to be in place in time for pre-season in July.

Lage has been recommended by super-agent Jorge Mendes – who had Cristiano Ronaldo amongst his clients – whose Gestifute agency has close links with the board at Molineux.

The 45-year-old does have a work permit hearing today but that is not expected to be an obstacle in a deal being completed.

Nuno left the club last month by ‘mutual consent’ after four years where he achieved promotion to the Premier League and qualification for Europa League football.

His Wolves side reached the quarter-finals of last year’s competition before losing out to eventual winners Sevilla.

Nuno is now the favourite to take over at Everton, while he has also been linked with the top job at Tottenham.

Lage, meanwhile was at Benfica for 18 months and was previously an assistant manager to Carlos Carvalhal at both Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

Before that, he worked in the youth system at Benfica from 2004-2012.

Lage, 45, was at Benfica for 18 months, from January 2019-June 2020, and has since been out of work