As Wolves begin their 2026/27 season in the Carabao Cup against Port Vale at Molineux, Cesar Peixoto is calling on his team to be as professional as possible to get their campaign off to the best start.
Following last season’s relegation from the Premier League, Wolves’ EFL journey begins on Friday night with a first round cup tie against the Valiants, ahead of the Championship opener next weekend.
But the head coach wants everyone at the club to forget about what happened in the past and focus on a fresh start and starting the new era at Molineux by building a ‘fantastic future’ with players, staff and fans all connected as one.
On opening the season in the cup
“I think it’s a dangerous game because Port Vale are going to play against Wolves like a big team, and we have to manage this and manage our motivation to play against these kinds of teams.
“But what I think and what I tell the team and to the players every day is that you want to win. You want to win, you want to work hard, you want to play well, you want to score goals, and I think we are going to be prepared to do the game as best as we can, but this is the job.”
On adding Jimenez and Trippier to his squad
“They are two important players, but I look at all of the team, all of the squad, and I want to play as a unit, as a team, defend as a unit.
“You see in the game, all the players, when someone commits a mistake, they run to steal the ball as soon as possible, and all the players know what we have to without the ball and with the ball.
“For sure, Kieran and Raul are two great players, but the team is more important for me.”
On Trippier’s leadership qualities
“He is a leader because of his status as a player, but with his personality, the way he works day by day, in all training sessions, so I’m very happy with him.
“But again, I look to the whole squad because, for me, that’s the most important thing. Nobody stays above of the team.”
On deciding on his captain for this season
“Not only one. I have now three, but maybe there can be one or two more because I want four or five captains, and after that, I choose who will wear the armband in the games.
“[Against Santander] I put Toti in the first-half, Kieran in the second-half, Andre is also a captain, Raul is a captain, and you’re going to see what we’re doing. But what is important is the team, is the spirit of the group, and the spirit is fantastic.
“The guys work very hard in the pre-season, and I’m happy with the game, but we still have to improve a lot to do a great season.”
On Fer Lopez fitting into the ‘10’ role
“He’s an important player because his characteristics are important for our idea of the game. We’ve had to manage his minutes with the medical department, but it's important to grow up step by step, to not commit mistakes, which could have meant he was injured for the next game.
“But all of the players still have to work a lot and have to improve a lot because I want a great team, not just great players, because great players do not make a great team.
“I want a team and a club which is all together, with everyone aiming in the same direction. The fans are important to support the team and support these players, and we must forget the past as we’re trying to build a good present and a fantastic future.”
