Wolverhampton Wanderers confirm Julen Lopetegui exit

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 08 August 2023

Wolverhampton Wanderers confirm the exit of head coach Julen Lopetegui having remained at loggerheads with the Spaniard over the club's transfer strategy.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the exit of head coach Julen Lopetegui, less than a week before their Premier League opener at Manchester United.

In November, the Spaniard was appointed as the successor to Bruno Lage and impressed in taking the West Midlands outfit from bottom of the Premier League table to 13th position.

Owners Fosun International backed the former Sevilla boss in the transfer market in January, with the club effectively paying in the region of £73m on six different players.

However, that has ultimately proven to be the undoing of a project that had the potential for greater success, with the unplanned spending heavily restricting Wolves this summer.

Last week, chairman Jeff Shi published an open letter to supporters in response to criticism from Lopetegui, who indicated that the club's transfer strategy had differed to what he had been previously told.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on April 29, 2023. © Reuters

Reports have also consistently claimed that Lopetegui had expressed his doubts over whether his current squad was strong enough to remain in the top flight in light of the exits that have occurred and lack of additions in response.

That stance has now played its part in the two parties meeting on Tuesday to hold discussions, there being an inevitability about the statement that Wolves released on the evening to confirm the 56-year-old's exit.

It read: "Wolves and Julen Lopetegui have reached an agreement to part ways, ending the Spaniard's nine-month reign as head coach at the club.

"Lopetegui joined Wolves in November and successfully guided the club to Premier League safety, however, the head coach and club acknowledged and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties.

"Talks have been ongoing in recent weeks, held with the utmost respect and cordiality, affording the club time and space to begin work on finding a successor, while also ensuring that Julen and his backroom staff could continue their planned preparation to ensure the playing squad would be in the best possible condition for the start of the Premier League season."

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on May 6, 2023. © Reuters

Unusually for an announcement of a manager's departure, Wolves have included a goodbye message from Lopetegui, who says: "I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.

"It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.

"Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family."

While Wolves have not commented on a potential replacement, it has been widely reported that former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil is in line to be appointed over the coming days.