Express & Star

Rui Patricio: Wolves boss Nuno has helped me massively

Rui Patricio insists Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has 'really helped' him psychologically and made him a better goalkeeper.

Published
Last updated

The 32-year-old arrived at Molineux having won Euro 2016 with Portugal but feels compatriot Nuno – a former shot-stopper – has helped him reach another level.

Patricio, who has played every minute of every Premier League game for Wolves this season, told Sky Sports: "Nuno has really helped me psychologically.

"The psychological value that he brings is that he makes us all feel more confident.

"He makes us all feel better about how we play. Every athlete needs that support.

"It is not just Nuno either, it is the whole team beyond the field that helps us.

"It brings a lot of value to our game. We have to work together to become the best version of ourselves."

Patricio and Nuno's relationship goes beyond Wolves, though.

The pair were actually team-mates at one time, when both were included in Portugal's squad for Euro 2008 – Patricio second-choice, Nuno third.

And Patricio recalled: "He became very firm with us when we practised.

"He wanted us all to do our very best. I think that has translated into his work as a manager with us now.

"The way he wants things to be done is the best way possible. That just shows how professional he is as a coach and a person."

Between playing alongside Nuno and playing under him, Patricio has won various honours and even has a statue back in Portugal, in tribute to a save that he made in the Euro 2016 final. But he is always striving for more.

"I do not think that there is any limit," added Patricio.

"I want to continue to improve as the years go by. In fact, my goal is to improve with every session.

"I think that what I strive to do every single day is to become a better goalkeeper. I work hard on my techniques."