Wolverhampton Wanderers are confident of a breakthrough in talks with Julen Lopetegui over being the new Wolves manager. So, where are those from his first XI at Sevilla now?
The Molineux hierarchy have revived dialogue with Lopetegui as they seek a replacement for Bruno Lage. Wolves sacked the Portuguese in October following a dismal start to their Premier League campaign. He oversaw just one win in eight games to sit 18th in the table.
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Steve Davis has stood in as Wolves’ interim head coach since Lage’s dismissal and has the reins until 2023. But the West Midlands natives have remained keen on hiring Lopetegui, despite the Spaniard rejecting their vacant role following his sacking by Sevilla last month.
Wolves are confident of making Lopetegui their new manager before the World Cup
Lopetegui rejected the vacant Wolves manager position last month for family reasons, per The Guardian. Yet the Molineux hierarchy are hopeful of finally hiring the Spaniard, having sought his services since Fosun bought the club in 2016. But he took the Spain job instead.
Positive noises emerging from the 56-year-old’s camp are now encouraging Wolves that a breakthrough in talks could follow in the next few days. Molineux chiefs believe they could make Lopetegui the Wolves’ manager before the break for the World Cup if talks progress.
The Premier League hits pause following Arsenal’s visit to the Black Country on November 12. Wolves also host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and Leeds United in the EFL Cup on November 9. The club returns to domestic matches on December 26 away at Everton.
Lopetegui lasted two years in charge of the Spain national team before taking up the helm at Real Madrid. Yet his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu only lasted three months and just 14 fixtures. Sevilla later offered the Asteasu native his return to management in July 2019.
Los Nervionenses kept with Lopetegui for 170 games across all competitions before firing the tactician this October. He won 90 and drew 44 matches to 36 defeats while overseeing 247 goals to 164 conceded. But he departed having only won one of 10 games this season.
So, with Wolves now closing in on appointing Lopetegui as their new manager to replace Lage, HITC Football takes a look at where those who started his first XI at Sevilla are now…
Tomas Vaclik (GK): Lopetegui’s first Sevilla stopper is now at Olympiacos
Tomas Vaclik lined up between the sticks for Lopetegui’s first game in charge of Sevilla at Espanyol in August 2019. The 33-year-old had joined the La Liga side from FC Basel a year prior. But after 94 games, he joined Olympiacos in 2021 to replace Wolves-bound Jose Sa.
Jesus Navas (RB): Captained Sevilla in Lopetegui’s first XI away to Espanyol
Jesus Navas captained Sevilla in Lopetegui’s first match in charge of Los Nervionenses. The 36-year-old retained the armband after the Spaniard’s arrival and still has it at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium today. The winger re-joined them from Manchester City in 2017.
Daniel Carrico (CB): Long-time Sevilla star is now a free agent
Daniel Carrico spent seven years at Sevilla between his initial arrival on loan from Reading in 2013 and a move to China with WH Zall in 2020. He returned to Spain last year with UD Almeria. But the defender is now a free agent at 34 years old after leaving the club in June.
Diego Carlos (CB): Aston Villa bought Lopetegui’s star defender in June
Aston Villa bought Lopetegui’s star defender this June after paying Sevilla £26m for Diego Carlos. The Brazilian had helped Los Nervionenses record La Liga’s best defence last term with 30 goals conceded in 38 games. But he ruptured his Achilles in his second Villa game.
Sergio Reguilon (LB): Tottenham bought the left-back after he shone at Sevilla
Sergio Reguilon joined Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid in 2020 for up to £32m after he shone on loan with Sevilla under Lopetegui. The 25-year-old – now on loan to Atletico Madrid – hit three goals and five assists over 38 games in all competitions during 2019/20.
Fernando (CDM): Lopetegui’s midfield anchor is still holding down the fort
Fernando was Lopetegui’s midfield anchor after Sevilla signed the former Manchester City star from Galatasaray in 2019. The Brazilian remains Los Nervionenses’ defensive protector today under contract until 2024. The 35-year-old featured in 125 fixtures under Lopetegui.
Oliver Torres (CM): Lopetegui signed the Sevilla star from Porto in 2019
Lopetegui made Oliver Torres one of his first signings in charge of Sevilla in 2019 by sealing a deal with FC Porto. The midfielder is still at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan today with terms running to 2024. He also helped Sevilla clinch the 2019/20 Europa League under Lopetegui.
Joan Jordan (CM): Sevilla extended Lopetegui’s signing’s contract to 2027
Sevilla extended Joan Jordan’s contract through to 2027 this January. He joined the Seville outfit under Lopetegui from SD Eibar in 2019 and proved to be central to his plans. The 28-year-old from Regencos made 154 appearances, five goals and 11 assists under the coach.
Lucas Ocampos (RW): Ajax hired the Argentine on loan during the summer
Ajax hired Lucas Ocampos on a season-long loan from Sevilla this August for €4m (£3.5m) with a €16m (£14m) option to buy, per Marca. The 10-cap Argentine had produced a nine-goal, six-assist season last term. He had 34 goals and 15 assists in 135 games since 2019.
Luuk de Jong (ST): New PSV captain is shining in the Europa League
Luuk de Jong left Sevilla to return to PSV Eindhoven in July and took over the Dutch club’s captaincy. Lopetegui had signed the striker in 2019 but let the 32-year-old spend 2021/22 on loan to Barcelona. He left Los Nervionenses having scored 19 goals in 94 appearances.
Since returning to PSV, whom De Jong left for Sevilla, the 38-cap international has shone. The Dutchman particularly lit up the night as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Philips Stadion outfit beat Arsenal 2-0 at home in the Europa League. He assisted and scored from the bench.
Nolito (LW): UD Ibiza signed the former Sevilla star at 35 in September
UD Ibiza offered Nolito a chance to continue his career at 35 years old in September after leaving Celta Vigo. The winger has turned 36 since signing for the La Liga 2 outfit. It is his second side since leaving Sevilla under Lopetegui in 2020 after three years with the club.
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