GRAHAM THOMAS

WOLVES manager Julen Lopetegui insisted crowning himself king of the Basques was the biggest achievement of his career.

A gritty, hard-fought 1-0 win over a Villa side managed by fellow Spaniard and Basque Country native Unai Emery meant Wolves reached 40 points and binned any lingering relegation fears.

When Lopetegui took charge at Molineux in November, Wolves were bottom and four points from safety.

Since then, he has taken 30 points from 19 matches to guide them to the safe haven of mid-table – a sequence that has included seven victories in 10 home games.

“A lot of people said I was crazy when I decided to come here,” said the former Real Madrid and Sevilla boss.

“This has been my most difficult achievement as a coach – more difficult than taking Sevilla into the Champions League.

“Our aim was to get to 40 points, so I am very happy for the club, the fans and the players. It has been a very hard season.”

Lopetegui’s quiet miracle has gone relatively unnoticed amid the struggles of others below them, but his own assessment is telling.

And the transformation he has engineered has been proof of a wise appointment.

The derby win was another blow to Villa and Emery, just six days after their defeat to Manchester United.

It means Emery admitted his team now face a do-or-die clash at home to Tottenham next weekend, which they must win if they are to realise their aim of making the Europa League.

“We can be frustrated with today, but the way we played is how we want to play,” said Emery.

“For us, the season is not finished. We play Tottenham and it is a cup final, it is our final.”