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Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo unhappy with 'absurd' 45 hour turnaround between festive fixtures

Nuno Espirito Santo is the latest Premier League manager to voice his displeasure with the Christmas programme that will pit his team up against Manchester City and Liverpool within less than 48 hours - 2019 Simon Stacpoole/Offside
Nuno Espirito Santo is the latest Premier League manager to voice his displeasure with the Christmas programme that will pit his team up against Manchester City and Liverpool within less than 48 hours - 2019 Simon Stacpoole/Offside

Nuno Espirito Santo has branded the Premier League's Christmas fixture list "absurd" after being given the daunting task of facing Manchester City and Liverpool in under 45 hours.

The Wolves head coach is furious that his club have to play both title contenders in the space of two days in a hectic festive schedule, with both games to be televised.

City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool have already criticised the unforgiving turnaround but it is Wolves who are the worst affected, with just 44 hours and 45 minutes between two hugely challenging games.

Wolves face defending champions City at Molineux on Dec 27 at 7.45pm before then travelling to Anfield to face Jürgen Klopp's team on the 29th at 4.30pm.

Club officials are understood to have expressed their concerns to the Premier League and asked for the scheduling to be reconsidered, but were left frustrated.

Wolves have already played 18 games this season due to their commitments in the Europa League.

And Nuno has aimed a withering assessment at the League for giving his team such a "dangerous and impossible" task.

He said: "It is absurd and ridiculous. It doesn't matter who you're playing against, it's about us. The players have to compete and we will. But it's tough, it's dangerous. Forty-five hours – it’s impossible to play another game.

"People who decide this don’t have the consciousness of the physical impact for the players during a game. To play again 45 hours after playing ... nobody is ready for that. Tell me one time when that has happened.

“Don’t tell me about Amazon and Sky. Someone tell me why Wolves are playing like this. Look and protect the players, these are protagonists. Broadcasters need players. People go to the stadiums to see players.

"I will ask for an explanation, but who am I? Nobody can understand it, I would like someone to explain to me why.”

Manchester City's chief operating officer, Omar Berrada, had questioned the Premier League's 'sporting integrity' after the champions were given two games in 46 hours.