According to The Sun on Sunday (04/07, p61), Julen Lopetegui may be plotting a Sevilla exit after snubbing Tottenham Hotspur – and Leeds United fancy landing him.
Lopetegui may have left Spain in bizarre circumstances and then struggled at Real Madrid, but he has impressed at Sevilla and won the Europa League last year.
The Spaniard is attracting interest, and he may soon have a crack at management in England if he gets his way.
Lopetegui to leave Sevilla in 2022?
It’s stated that Lopetegui will be cleared to leave Sevilla next summer, and they’re already looking to land Granada boss Diego Martinez as his successor.
Martinez is described as ‘waiting for the call’ to head to Sevilla, but it seems most likely that he will only take over at the end of next season.
Leeds and Tottenham interest in Lopetegui
Lopetegui became a key name in Tottenham’s farcical managerial search, with Duncan Castles claiming that a deal had been agreed for him before Brexit issues scuppered the move.
El Confidencial then stated that Tottenham’s offer to Lopetegui was financially massive, but the Spaniard turned them down to stay at Sevilla.
Tottenham have since appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager, but if things go wrong this season, Lopetegui could end up back on the radar.
The Sun’s report adds that Leeds still view Lopetegui as the top choice to replace Marcelo Bielsa whenever that day comes, with the Argentinian staying on for now.
Bielsa turns 67 next summer, so it’s wise for Leeds to eye up potential successors – and they may have a shot at Lopetegui if Bielsa decides to go in 2022.
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