Friday 3 May 2019 15:39, UK
Nuno Espirito Santo insists Wolves cannot afford to look ahead to a possible return to European football for the first time in 39 years.
Victory against an in-form Fulham at Molineux on Saturday will put them on the verge of a seventh-place finish in Nuno's debut season in the Premier League.
If they do finish seventh, Wolves, who end their campaign at Liverpool, will return to Europe for the first time since 1980 if Watford lose against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Asked about the significance of potential European qualification for the club, Nuno said: "First we have to focus and compete well against a tough opponent that comes from good results.
"We have to be really focused and try to compete as best we can.
"All the games are very tough. They [Fulham] come from good results so we expect a very tough game.
"First of all we have to be focused on the Premier League. Everything else we will see after. First of all compete well, focus on your tasks and then play the game."
The 45-year-old Portuguese will become an honorary doctor of sport after the University of Wolverhampton recognised his contribution to the club's rise in the Premier League.
Nuno, who will be presented with the honour after the final whistle on Saturday, is delighted by the mental character his squad have displayed this season, especially since their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Watford at Wembley last month.
"When you perform well and achieve good results against tough teams and opponents, it always increases the levels of confidence," he said.
"In every game when things aren't going well, we try to achieve a moment of reaction - from all of us. The focus is always to improve in training and then try to perform well in the competition.
"We've always been able to bounce back. In life, in football, there are not always good moments, so you have to react to those that don't go so well by doing what you always do.
"We always speak of unity and togetherness and the players have shown a lot to bounce back - mainly character."
Nuno is delighted to be recognised for Wolves' achievements but is keen to highlight the contributions from everyone associated with the club.
"I'm very proud and very honoured. Since we arrived, [we have] always been very well received by everybody, by the people of the city," he said.
"I'm only one person that is here and will receive this prize, but this award goes beyond myself. It's all the people that are working here; the players, the staff, the employees of the club, the fans.
"It's an award that means a lot for everybody. For the club it's the recognition of something so important, like a university, so I'm very proud."
