Lothar Mane has expressed his desire to return to the Premier League and will continue to help the team achieve more victories.

If last season was a breakthrough year for Matthäus Mane's career, then he hopes the 2026/27 season will be a crucial step in helping Wolves return to the Premier League. Despite facing numerous challenges in his first season with the team, these difficulties have allowed the young striker to gain valuable experience, learn how to handle pressure, and prove his ability to compete at the highest level.  

Facing a challenging season, Matthäus Mane quickly got his chance to play in the Premier League, which meant he had to transform himself in a short period. The pace, competition, and external pressure of the top league tested the young player, but he ultimately delivered a record of 27 appearances, 3 goals, and 2 assists. This experience not only enriched his playing career but also helped him mature in terms of character and approach to situations.  

Matthäus Mane said: "I think I have made great progress on a personal level. The team was going through a difficult time at that time, and after I came here, I felt that I could have helped the team in some way. It was a very tough experience, but it made me more mature mentally and taught me to judge when things were going well and when we needed to face difficulties."  

“I think this experience shaped my character and gave me a stronger mentality because I faced a lot of pressure in every game. But over time, I learned not to be affected by these factors, to continue playing my own way, to perform as I should, to ignore what others said, and to just focus on enjoying the game.”  

"Of course I enjoy football, because if you can't keep smiling on the pitch, it means you're not really enjoying the sport. I try my best to keep smiling no matter how the game goes. Even in difficult times, you should cherish the opportunity to be on the pitch, because many people crave that opportunity, so I will always stay positive and happy."  

The real test of Matthäus Mane's mental fortitude came when he earned his first Premier League start for Wolves in their away match against Liverpool. Prior to this, he had made several substitute appearances in the second half of the 2025 season, including an assist in the away game against Arsenal before Christmas. However, as the starting whistle approached, he knew he had reached a crucial turning point in his career.  

Matthäus Mane said: "I was really nervous when I saw my name in the starting lineup. I immediately called my parents and agent to tell them 'I'm starting,' and they were both happy for me. Of course, I was also very happy, but at the same time, I was really nervous."  

"At first, my friends thought I was joking and didn't take it seriously at all. But when the starting lineup came out and they actually saw my name, they got excited and sent me voice messages to congratulate me. They even joked that I should bring them a Mohamed Salah jersey."  

"At that moment, all the hard work I had put in along the way flashed through my mind, as well as everything my parents and family had done to support me. At that moment, I felt that all my efforts had finally paid off. The game against West Ham was even more unforgettable. I not only scored a goal, but also won a penalty and provided an assist. That game holds almost all my best memories. Scoring my first Premier League goal was one of the most special moments of my life, and I will always remember it."  

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a positive start to the new Championship season, winning the Black Lives Matter derby before the international break and adding three important points to their tally. Currently, Wolves sit fourth in the league, just three points behind the leaders, and have a rescheduled match to play. For Matthäus Mane and his teammates, the task is clear: return to the Premier League as soon as possible, but they also know that many challenges lie ahead.  

Matthäus Mane continued: "I'm excited about the new challenges ahead, and I always enjoy these new tests. I believe this will be a very important season for us Wolves players and all the fans who support the team."  

"Faced with a tight schedule, we not only need to maintain our physical condition, but also our mental state. Sometimes we play a game on Saturday, then have to play again on Tuesday, and then have another game on Friday, so recovery is especially important. I know I have to take my body seriously, because the last thing I want to see when playing consecutive games is to get injured."  

“Over the past period, I have been working on improving my physical fitness through gym training and daily practice. I have also gradually realized that the style of play in the Championship is different from the pace I am used to. I like to receive the ball with my back to goal and turn to dribble forward, but the defenders here press very hard, so I need to speed up my passing. The players here are physically better and the competition is more intense. So physicality alone is not enough. You need to have excellent footwork, anticipate the situation, and be prepared to deal with unexpected situations at any time.”  

“In the new season, I hope to further improve my statistics, score more goals, provide more assists, and help the team win more games. To ultimately reach the top of the league, we must achieve good results throughout the long season. The team’s current common goal is to win the league title. We all yearn to return to the Premier League, and I believe that as long as we continue to work hard, we can achieve this goal.”  

Image source: Internet/Wolves official website