WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 10: A corner flag with the Wolverhampton Wanderers club badge on display during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa at Molineux on November 10, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus)
Julen Lopetegui only took over at Wolves midway through last season, but the former Real Madrid manager could be set to leave Molineux after less than a year in charg
Wolves are already sounding out replacements for Julen Lopetegui.
Mirror Sport revealed on Thursday that the Spaniard is unhappy at the club and is considering his future after losing a string of his top stars. The Wolves hierarchy is well aware of the 56-year-old’s concerns and are making contingency plans to ensure they are not left in the lurch come the start of the season.
Their Premier League campaign starts on August 14, against Manchester United. Lopetegui saved the club from relegation oblivion last season after arriving last November.
He eventually steered them to a sturdy 13th but as the season drew to a close he questioned whether he would be able to continue at the club due to their restrictive transfer policy. Since then, Wolves have sold Raul Jimenez to Fulham, club captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and will also be without Nathan Collins, Ryan Giles, and Conor Coady this season.
Julen Lopetegui only took over at Wolves midway through last season, but the former Real Madrid manager could be set to leave Molineux after less than a year in charge
Wolves are already sounding out replacements for Julen Lopetegui.
Mirror Sport revealed on Thursday that the Spaniard is unhappy at the club and is considering his future after losing a string of his top stars. The Wolves hierarchy is well aware of the 56-year-old’s concerns and are making contingency plans to ensure they are not left in the lurch come the start of the season.
Their Premier League campaign starts on August 14, against Manchester United. Lopetegui saved the club from relegation oblivion last season after arriving last November.
He eventually steered them to a sturdy 13th but as the season drew to a close he questioned whether he would be able to continue at the club due to their restrictive transfer policy. Since then, Wolves have sold Raul Jimenez to Fulham, club captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and will also be without Nathan Collins, Ryan Giles, and Conor Coady this season.
In an open letter to fans, published on Thursday, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi praised Lopetegui’s achievements. The club sat bottom of the Premier League table at Christmas, but climbed to safety after the arrival of the new manager as well as new signings including Pablo Sarabia and Craig Dawson.
“Our head coach has undoubtedly done an excellent job since joining us last November,” Shi wrote. “We hired him and his team at a very difficult moment and without a doubt they succeeded in the aims we set for them. Now, together with the players and all support staff, they are working hard again to prepare for the upcoming campaign.
“Throughout the last seven seasons, I have never had a month where everything was perfect. The reality of running a football club is to continuously face issues and challenges, and then tackle them with solutions. FFP is one of the more short-term and benign challenges we have faced. The club has gone through much more difficult tests in the past and will do so again in the future.”
