‘Would seem strange’: Wolves told hiring 52-year-old manager is a big ‘risk’

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Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy believes Wolves would be taking a ‘risk’ if they hired Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui to replace the sacked Bruno Lage at Molineux, speaking to talkSPORT (5 October, 11am). 

Lopetegui’s CV says one thing, his reputation another.

When you consider that the 52-year-old has previously had spells at Porto, Real Madrid and with the Spanish national team, while guiding Sevilla to Europa League glory at the expense of Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan, you’d be forgiven for wondering what Wolves are waiting for. 

What this does not tell you, however, is that Lopetegui lasted just 14 games at Real Madrid; sacked after losing as many games as he won. The Spaniard didn’t claim a single trophy during two years at Porto either.  

And, with Sevilla enduring their worst start to a La Liga season in over 40 years, the handkerchiefs are out in force at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan; a downturn in results the final straw for a coach who has already come under fire for a painfully pedestrian playing style. 

Lopetegui, the critics say, is not dragging Sevilla forward but holding them back.

Wolves consider Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui after sacking Bruno Lage

“I don’t even know if he speaks English. It would be a risk,” says Murphy, formerly of Liverpool, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. “But isn’t any appointment a risk?

“You’ve got to turn Wolves around quickly. It would seem strange not to go for a more expansive option.”

One-time Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, however, is far more positive in his assessment of a coach who has guided Sevilla to three successive top-four finishes in Spain’s top-flight.

“You don’t get to manage your national side, a side like Spain, and then land at Real Madrid, albeit unsuccessfully, and not be of a certain calibre,” Jordan points out. “If that translates to being someone Wolves thing can advance, then you have to give it some due thought.

“The guy has operated at a very high level. He managed the national team for two years. He doesn’t pull any punches, and he’s not a ‘line toer’.”

Interestingly, Lopetegui came close to taking over at Wolves back in 2016, during Fosun’s first summer at the Molineux helm. He is now expected to leave Sevilla shortly after their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.