Julen Lopetegui hailed a special occasion after taking cost of Wolves for the primary time with a hard-fought Carabao Cup victory over League Two strugglers Gillingham.
Late objectives from substitutes Raul Jimenez and Rayan Ait-Nouri noticed the Premier League’s backside aspect declare a spot within the quarter-finals with a 2-0 success at Molineux on Tuesday.
Lopetegui admitted there will likely be more durable challenges forward for his aspect than tackling the membership positioned 92nd within the pyramid however the Spaniard was happy to be up and working.
Julen Lopetegui was happy to start his Wolves tenure with a win after their Carabao cup win
The previous Spain and Actual Madrid coach was appointed as Bruno Lage’s everlasting successor final month however has needed to anticipate the resumption of top-flight soccer following the World Cup break to place plans into motion.
He mentioned: “For me it’s a very special occasion and, after all, I’m very comfortable – however above all it’s for the group as a result of we needed to be within the subsequent spherical.
“We tried to indicate a variety of the issues we have now labored on within the final weeks however these sort of matches are tough in opposition to groups that do not have something to lose.
“We labored with good focus and focus and in the long run we’re very comfortable.
Raul Jimenez opened the scoring as Wolves noticed of League Two Gillingham 2-0 at Molineux
“Now we have now to sit up for the subsequent matches. We have now a tough process forward however we have now to be prepared for it. We have now a variety of issues to enhance.”
Mexico ahead Jimenez’s look was his first for the membership since August.
Lopetegui mentioned: “It’s good for Raul and it’s good for us. All of the strikers need to rating and this will likely be vital for his confidence.”
Gillingham struggled to interrupt out of their very own half as Wolves dominated possession however their stubbornness was commendable, notably because it later emerged their squad had been hit by a flu bug this week.
Lopetegui was appointed in November however received to sit down in a Wolves dugout for the primary time
Supervisor Neil Harris, himself hoarse as a consequence of a sore throat, revealed he drove himself to the sport quite than travelling on the group bus to keep away from passing on the an infection any additional.
Harris mentioned: “I am pleased with my gamers. It has been a troublesome 48 hours for us. We have got an issue within the camp, as you’ll be able to inform by my voice, that is why we solely had 4 (outfield) subs tonight.
“We dug in. The sport went as we anticipated and we have been compelled right into a again 5, and even again six, at occasions.
“They’d the ball however we compelled them round us with our disciplined form. They discovered it tough to interrupt us down and to lose the primary purpose as we did was irritating. It was a really shut name.
‘However on the steadiness of play, you’ll be able to’t deny Wolves deserved to win the sport.”
