Former Wolverhampton Wanderers managerial candidate Julen Lopetegui is now the Spain national team head coach.
Spain national football team head coach Julen Lopetegui has told The Guardian that he snubbed offers from Premier League clubs to hold discussion with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to The Guardian, Lopetegui had already begun working with Chinese conglomerate seeking to buy Wolves in the summer when he got the chance to manage Spain.
The former Real Madrid and Barcelona goalkeeper has revealed that he had offers from Premier League clubs.
The 50-year-old former Spain international has explained why he wanted to manage Wolves despite the fact that the Wanderers are a Championship team.
“When the federation called, naturally my objective became the national team, but it’s true that before that [Wolves and I] had been working hand in hand for some time,” Lopetegui told The Guardian.
“It was very close but in the end it wasn’t to be. I enjoyed the time I spent with them; there were offers from the Premier League but their project was especially attractive.
“Wolves is a great club, where there would be significant investment and a desire to grow, to shine again.”
Wolves appointed Walter Zenga as the manager in the summer, but the Italian failed to get positive results and departed in October.
Paul Lambert was appointed the Wanderers manager in November, and results have started to improve.
The Wanderers are 19th in the Championship table at the moment with 17 points from 16 matches.
Wolves are just three points above the relegation zone, but there is still a chance that they could end up in the top six of the table this season.
Lambert’s side will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they take on Preston North End away from home at Deepdale in the Championship.
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