Despite experiencing one of his most unsettling seasons during his time as Wolves goalkeeper, Jose Sa was pleased with how the 2024/25 campaign eventually turned out.
The Portuguese stopper – who made his 100th appearance for the club during the last 12 months – endured a mixed early spell to his season, after the arrival of fellow goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace in August saw Sa dropped from the number one spot which he has held for the previous three years.
But after regaining his place in the team, together with the arrival of new head coach and compatriot Vitor Pereira, Sa was once again able to show his quality, being part of a record-breaking Wolves side which claimed six consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time in history.
On an up and down season between the sticks
“It was good. Although it was not what we wanted or what we expected in the beginning of the season, in the end, I think was positive.
“It was positive because of the way that we started and what we achieved after the hard times that we had all those months ago, so I can say that was positive in the end.”
On overcoming the challenge of relegation
“It [relegation] was possible because we were in a very difficult period for us. But at the same time, we knew that we have good players and we could do more.
“Then when Vitor came, everything changed.
“I think the players understood that we needed to give more to help the club and to help ourselves too, because I think no one wants relegation in your career.”
On fighting back from losing the starting spot
“This is football. We had to keep going and keep working. In the end, it is what it is.
“Of course, I believed [in himself]. I always believe. I always work to come back to the top level and thankfully I did it. But I just worked hard and, in the end, it is what it is.”
On a change of goalkeeper coach
“When it comes to the goalkeeper coach, I try to always take the best of everyone. I would never say that this person is better than another one, because what one goalkeeper coach has, maybe the others don’t have.
“We have to take everything that they have, the best of what they have, and keep growing up and try to be better. I’ve tried to do this every year in my career.”
On pushing each other to be better
“All of us, we work hard and try to be better than the others, and we have a very good relationship with everyone.
“Being a goalkeeper is different to other positions, but what we have here at Wolves is very healthy and it’s very nice to work with these types of players and goalkeepers.”
On ending the season well
“It’s very nice to win. It’s different when you work with a win than with a loss, and to break some record that have been standing from a long time ago, and was something the club didn’t have before in the Premier League was very nice.
“This showed to the people and to us that it is possible for us to do more.”
