Kieran Trippier says Lionel Messi can have little influence on a match for long periods before suddenly deciding the outcome, as the England defender reflected on facing the Argentina captain at the World Cup.
“Playing under Simeone, I’ve experienced similar situations countless times. I could name thirty such games where we withstood the pressure and held onto the result, that’s typical Simeone. He’s a master of the game, adept at holding onto a win. Tuchel has also been in this situation countless times, leading Chelsea to win the Champions League, and delivering extremely impressive results at Bayern… It’s just that this time we couldn’t do it. Our opponent was one of the greatest players of all time, he can change the game in an instant.” Trippier said, snapping his fingers, speaking of Messi, “I’ve played against him many times, he can be anonymous for sixty minutes, but then suddenly score a hat-trick. That’s his unique magic.”
Speaking to The Guardian, Trippier also discussed his move to Wolves, the unexpected dismissal of manager Rob Edwards and his decision to leave Newcastle United after helping the club win the Carabao Cup.
The full-back had joined Wolves believing Edwards was a major reason for dropping into the Championship, but the manager was sacked only three days after Trippier signed. Cesar Peixoto was then appointed as his successor.
“I’m not going to lie here, I absolutely didn’t expect that to happen,” Trippier said. “But that’s the club’s decision. I obviously had good conversations with Rob, but I came here to play for Wolves. Football is full of surprises, and that was certainly a big one, I won’t deny that. But I still move forward. At the time, I was on holiday with my kids, training in Mallorca, just looking forward to the first day of pre-season training.”
Reports then suggested Trippier wanted to cancel his contract, claims he strongly rejected.
“I saw all those reports: saying I wanted to tear up my contract, and all sorts of nonsense. I was fully expecting to report back to Wolves. Honestly, I have no idea where that idea came from, that I wanted to tear up my contract. That absolutely did not come from me, otherwise you would have heard about it from me, that’s how I operate.”
Trippier, who turns 36 in September, left Newcastle United at the end of last season after playing a central role in the club’s progress under Eddie Howe. During his time on Tyneside, Newcastle United reached the Champions League twice and won the Carabao Cup last year.
He joined the club after three seasons with Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, during which he won La Liga. Before that, he spent four years at Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino and reached the Champions League final.
The England international has appeared at four major tournaments and played every minute of the Euro 2024 final. He is now returning to the Championship, a level he last played at when he helped Burnley win promotion.
Trippier is expected to make his Wolves debut against Blackburn on Friday. The move represents a striking change from his recent career: last September he was facing Barcelona at St James’ Park, while in October he is due to meet Bolton at Molineux.
“I’m not ashamed to play in the Championship, after all, I’ve played here for many years,” Trippier said. He first experienced the division as a teenager with Barnsley, where he played in defence alongside Darren Moore.
He said discussions with Howe and Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson helped shape his decision to seek a new challenge. A desire to live closer to his children was also important, with Trippier regarding Manchester as his home.
The defender is aware of the demands of the Championship. He remembers Burnley beating Wolves 2-1 in the penultimate match of the 2012-13 season, a result that ended Burnley’s relegation fears and left Wolves close to dropping into League One.
“I’ve been talking to my teammates, most of whom haven’t played in the Championship. So my experienced teammates and I have to help them understand that this path will be full of thorns.”
“I told them: this league schedule is breathlessly tight, and it’s absolutely true… It’s completely different from the Premier League. An away game against Lincoln City will be a tough one. But the lads are all willing to listen to my advice, like Tommy Doyle and Adam Armstrong. Everyone will be ready.”
Trippier signed a two-year contract with Wolves, including an option for a further year. Before completing the move, he was on holiday in Turkey and spoke to Tommy Doyle, Johnstone and other players to understand the situation inside the club.
The dismissal of Edwards came after Andre had confirmed only a month earlier that he would remain in charge. Trippier’s arrival had created a positive atmosphere, but Edwards was sacked 48 hours after Jimenez’s return.
Trippier was also saddened by Howe’s departure from Newcastle United after four and a half years.
“Howe helped the team secure its Premier League status, led them to the Champions League twice, and won a trophy. But his most important achievement was reconnecting the fans and the team. Before the Saudi takeover, I heard the club was in a bad situation: fans and owners, and the board, were at odds. After the new owners came in, he, as manager, brought everyone together, just like Southgate did for the England national team.”
Asked whether Howe deserved a statue, Trippier replied: “Well, he won a trophy, didn’t he?”
“But that’s not for me to judge… The trophy parade was unforgettable, with huge banners of the manager, showing the fans’ past and present affection for him. When I first went to Newcastle, the team was in a difficult situation, especially after losing to Cambridge United in the FA Cup third round. But perhaps that was a good thing, allowing us to focus all our energy on staying in the Premier League… There’s no doubt he’ll be written into the club’s history. I was very sad to see him leave.”
Peixoto, a 46-year-old Portuguese coach who managed Gil Vicente last season, remains unfamiliar to many supporters. Trippier said he already knew about his background before he replaced Edwards. Peixoto speaks fluent English, meaning the defender does not need to rely on Spanish when communicating with him.
Trippier joked about his own Spanish-speaking family connection: “When I was in Madrid, when the postman came, I’d ask my son to open the door, he speaks fluent Spanish,” he said.
He described Peixoto as demanding and direct, with intense training sessions and clear expectations.
“Extremely demanding, and honest. Training sessions are full-on, and his style is intense, in a good way. He demands a lot from his players, and if we want to succeed, that’s exactly what we need. He has the same high standards as Pochettino and Simeone. He has his rules: don’t betray his trust, don’t be late. Let’s just say, I wouldn’t want to upset him.”
Trippier believes he still has plenty to offer despite being less quick than earlier in his career. He faced highly rated Wolves youngster Matheus Mane last season while playing for Newcastle United.
“My physical condition is very good, probably the best it’s been in recent years. I’m not as fast as I used to be, but I always believe my mind and game intelligence are still there.” Trippier tapped his temple, “I feel like I can play for many more years.”
He regards the move to Wolves as comparable to his switch from Atletico Madrid to Newcastle United, a decision that also caused considerable reaction at the time.
“It’s a bit like when I left Atletico Madrid to join Newcastle… There was an uproar at the time, but throughout my entire career, I’ve never regretted the choices I’ve made.”
Now part of the leadership group created by Peixoto, Trippier expects Wolves to attract extra attention in the Championship.
“In the Championship opener against Blackburn, all eyes will be on us,” he said.
“Any team relegated from the Premier League, every opponent wants to beat you. Wolves had a very difficult season last season, but the new season is a fresh start, like starting from scratch. The reality is we are now in the Championship, and we must forget about last season, look forward, and stay positive. Our goal must be to get straight back into the Premier League.”
