Julen Lopetegui leaves Wolves just days before season starts as club scrambles for replacement
Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced the departure of Julen Lopetegui just days before the season begins
PA
Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced the departure of Julen Lopetegui just days before the season begins.
The manager has been the subject of speculation since the end of last season when he made public his concerns about the club’s spending plans.
A statement from the club 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.
The manager has been the subject of speculation since the end of last season when he made public his concerns about the club’s spending plans
PA
"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."
The Spaniard joined the club last November and led them to a 13th place finish.
Following his departure, Lopetegui offered his own thoughts on the exit in the club statement in which he thanked his players and the fans.
He said: "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."
The situation appeared to have been resolved following talks but Lopetegui made clear he still had reservations during an interview with Guillem Balague last month.
He said not only had the club had to abandon recruitment Plan A but they were also struggling to develop Plan B.
The situation appeared to have been resolved following talks but Lopetegui made clear he still had reservations during an interview with Guillem Balague last month
PA
The club has so far raised around £90m from sales and only signed Matt Doherty and Tom King, both on free transfers.
Gary O’Neil is now the frontrunner to be the replacement after Wolves held lengthy talks with the former Bournemouth boss.
O’Neil and Wolves were reportedly locked in discussions for three hours last week as they made contingency plans for the manager’s exit.
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