Julen Lopetegui has already made decision amid Lyon speculation after Wolves sacking
Julen Lopetegui could be offered the opportunity for a swift return to football management following his summer exit from Wolves.
The 57-year-old left Molineux before the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season following a period of frustration over transfers, and was replaced by ex-Bournemouth head coach Gary O’Neil. He had only been appointed in November 2022, and managed to guide the club to safety, but was unable to stamp his authority on the club in the summer transfer window.
Reports in France have claimed that Lopetegui is under consideration for the Lyon job, with former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc coming under an immense amount of pressure. Fans of the club addressed their players following a crushing defeat to PSG before the international break, and one possible change could be the manager.
A recent revelation from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano however could put to bed the rumours. It is claimed that Lopetegui ‘wants to wait’ for a new opportunity in the Premier League, and that he is currently ‘not keen’ on an opportunity in La Liga or Ligue 1. To date, no Premier League club are without a manager, and no one has signalled that there is anyone on the verge of being sacked.
Earlier this month, it was claimed that former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter had rejected the opportunity to manage Lyon, whilst Paulo Fonsecan was under consideration. The latest update is that former Rangers star Genaro Gattuso is being considered for the post, along with ex-Villa and Newcastle United right-back Habib Beye.
Lopetegui has so far managed Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla in Spain, as well as Porto in Portugal. He was also in charge of the Spanish national team for a two-year period, but was not afforded the opportunity to manage them at the 2018 World Cup.
Despite Lopetegui being linked with potentially replacing Quique Setien, who replaced Unai Emery following his move to Midlands rivals Aston Villa, Villarreal opted to appoint former Elche and Valladolid head coach Pacheta.
