Wolves want Julen Lopetegui and have now made him their top target to replace Bruno Lage ahead of an expected Sevilla exit.
Lage was given his marching orders on Sunday evening, 24 hours after a dismal 2-0 defeat away at West Ham United.
The Portuguese boss had won just once in eight league games this season, losing four and drawing three.
After a solid if unspectacular first season at Wolves, Lage is now on his way out and a replacement is being targeted quickly.
Wolves want Julen Lopetegui
A host of names have been linked but one that keeps coming up again and again is Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was wanted by Wolves in 2016 but he ended up becoming Spain boss instead, a set of choices that still sounds bonkers today.
The Spaniard went on to manage Real Madrid and now Sevilla, winning the Europa League in 2020.
Sky Sports now claim that Wolves have indeed made Lopetegui their top target to replace Lage as they finally look to lure him to Molineux.
Reporter Anton Toloui broke the news earlier today, suggesting that Lopetegui ‘is the man they want’ but Wolves are waiting to see what happens with Lopetegui’s future.
“We understand that Julen Lopetegui, the current Sevilla head coach, is the preferred candidate for Wolves as their new manager,” said Toloui. “He’s currently in position at Sevilla but he’s under a lot of pressure; he’s only won one game at Sevilla this season.”
“Wolves would like to talk to him, they’re waiting to see what happens, whether he’s going to stay, go, whether they’re going to fire him, whether they come to an agreement with Sevilla.”
“Watch this space, they’re not in a hurry. At the moment, Julen Lopetegui is the favourite to take over at Wolves, he’s the man they want,” he added.
Lopetegui is under huge pressure after a torrid start to the season and he could lose his job tonight.
Sevilla take on Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tonight and defeat could spell the end for Lopetegui.
That would pave the way for Wolves to strike a deal for the Spaniard, though Sevilla likely wouldn’t put up a huge fight even if Wolves made a move now.
Wolves may finally land their man after years of waiting but an appointment before this weekend looks very, very unlikely.
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