Kieran Trippier has spoken candidly about his return to the Championship for the first time in 12 years, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months.
The former England full-back signed for Wolves only to see manager Rob Edwards sacked just three days later, a development that sent shockwaves through the club and sparked widespread speculation.
“I’m not going to sit here and lie, I wasn’t expecting it,” Trippier said, addressing the shock departure directly and dismissing reports that he had considered tearing up his contract.
“I’ve read it all: that I was looking to rip my contract up, and all this nonsense. I was just looking forward to reporting back to Wolves.”
César Peixoto, who spent last season in charge of Portuguese side Gil Vicente, was accelerated into the role and has quickly impressed Trippier with his intensity and high standards on the training ground.
“Really demanding. Honest. On the training field he is 100mph, nuts – in a good way – but he’s really, really demanding and I think that’s what we need as players if we want to be successful.”
Trippier, who last played in the Championship during Burnley’s promotion campaign 12 years ago, is well aware of the challenges the division presents and has been preparing his teammates accordingly.
“I’ve just said: it’s relentless, because it is … and it’s totally different to the Premier League. Going to Lincoln away is going to be a difficult game, but they’re good lads who have listened to me, Tommy [Doyle], Adam [Armstrong].”
The 35-year-old has had a decorated career, winning La Liga with Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone, reaching a Champions League final with Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino, and lifting the Carabao Cup with Newcastle last year.
He also reflected on Eddie Howe’s departure from Newcastle after four and a half years, crediting the manager with transforming the club’s relationship with its supporters following the Saudi Arabia-led takeover.
“He helped the club stay in the Premier League, twice qualified for the Champions League, won a trophy, but the most important thing he did was reconnecting the supporters with the team.”
Trippier also addressed England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, where a late collapse allowed Lionel Messi and his teammates to overturn the result after a low defensive block came undone.
“He can score a hat-trick. That’s just the magic of him,” Trippier said of Messi, clicking his fingers to illustrate how quickly the Argentine can change the course of a game.
Despite turning 36 in September, Trippier remains confident in his ability to contribute at the highest level and believes he has plenty left to offer.
“I feel good, I feel probably in the best shape I’ve been in for many, many years. I’m not as fast as I used to be but I always believe I am clever and fast up here,” he said, tapping his temples.
With Wolves’ Championship opener against Blackburn on the horizon, Trippier is clear about the club’s ambitions and what the season must deliver for a squad that dropped out of the Premier League last year.
“Our goal has to be to go straight back up to the Premier League.”