Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui hands out takeaway treats to reporters at press conference

Get a pizza this! Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui hands out takeaway treats to the media at press conference for trip to Newcastle in celebration of his side’s clean sheet versus Tottenham

  • Julen Lopetegui surprised journalists with pizzas in his press conference 
  • He claimed it was to celebrate Wolves’ clean sheet in their 1-0 win vs Tottenham 
  • He said he was ‘worried’ about his teams lack of goals despite Saturday’s big win 

Julen Lopetegui surprised journalists attending his press conference today with a ‘brilliant’ gesture, buying them a round of pizzas.

It comes as Adama Traore ended what has been a difficult few weeks for the Wanderers, scoring a late goal to defeat Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday at Molineux, ending their three-match winning drought. 

The Spainiard’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since their 3-0 win against Liverpool at the start of February and to celebrate this weekend’s result, Lopetegui bough the media team a round of pizzas. 

The Wolves boss, according to Liam Keen from the Express and Star, told the reporters ‘this is for the clean sheet, while James Nursey from the Mirror said the pizzas were the result of losing a bet. 

‘Julen Lopetegui honoured a bet today to buy the press some pizzas when Wolves got a clean sheet,’ He wrote on Twitter. ‘Gracias! JL hasn’t been at Molineux long but has made a big, positive impression on and off the pitch.’ ⁦

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui today surprised journalists at his press conference with pizza

It was a classy gesture from the Wolves boss, who has according to BirminghamLive, has placed great emphasis on building a team spirit within his side, while also rewarding them by taking the players and their families for meals every time they record a clean sheet.  

He referred to it back in February as ‘The best investment he’s ever made.’

Confidence and team spirit will certainly be high within the Wolves camp this weekend as they travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle.

They currently sit 13th in the Premier League standings, with their huge win against Spurs lifting the midlands club five points clear of the relegation zone.

Lopetegui said to those in attendance the pizzas were to celebrate Saturday's clean sheet

Lopetegui said to those in attendance the pizzas were to celebrate Saturday’s clean sheet

Adama Traore (left) scored to give Wolves a huge 1-0 win against Tottenham on Saturday

Adama Traore (left) scored to give Wolves a huge 1-0 win against Tottenham on Saturday 

Yet, Wolves have struggled to score goals this season, with their tally standing at just 19, the joint lowest in the competition, alongside struggling Everton.

When asked on whether he was worried about his side’s lack of goals, Lopetegui admitted he was concerned, but emphasized that squad mentality that he wanted his entire team to start scoring not just his forwards. 

‘I am worried about the team, not only the forwards because the work to score is about all the team so I think we are happy with the commitment of our forwards,’ he said when asked for his thoughts on it being a year since a centre-forward has scored a league goal for Wolves.

Traore's late goal helped to put Wolves five points clear of the relegation zone in 13th place

Traore’s late goal helped to put Wolves five points clear of the relegation zone in 13th place

‘They are working very hard. Sometimes they offer a different solution to the team.

‘Of course, it is a good thing for the forwards to score,’ he added. ‘I am sure they are going to score, I don’t know when. 

‘As soon as possible is good for them and good for us but they have to do a lot of things for the team and are working very hard in this way.’ 

On injuries, the manager confirmed striker Diego Costa will miss two to four weeks with a knee injury after he was stretchered off against Tottenham.   



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