Wolverhampton and Julen Lopetegui “have reached an agreement to separate their paths” and put an “end to the nine-month stay of the Spanish as the club’s coach”, as reported by the English club three days after the start of the Premier League. Lopetegui joined Wolves in November after leaving Sevilla and steered the team to the English league. “However, the coach and the club recognized and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties,” the entity states on its official website.
“The conversations have been held in recent weeks with the utmost respect and cordiality, which has allowed the club time and space to start working on the search for a successor, while Julen and his technical team could continue with their planned preparation to ensure that the squad was in the best possible condition for the start of the Premier League season,” adds Wolverhampton.
Lopetegui took the reins of the Wolves when they were bottom in the English league. Since his arrival, the team have won nine league games, including against Liverpool and Tottenham, helping the team secure their sixth consecutive presence in English football’s top flight. In addition to Lopetegui, the rest of his team is also leaving the club: made up of Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado, Óscar Caro, Edu Rubio, Borja de Alba Alonso and Daniel Lopetegui.
Sports director Matt Hobbs also expressed his appreciation to the Spanish coach. “On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Julen and his team for their dedication and hard work during their time with the team. They arrived with the main goal of keeping the club in the Premier League last season, a goal they achieved with just a few games to go. Although our ambition was to tackle the new season together, it is common knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key issues, and all parties agreed that it would be best to part before the new campaign.”
Lapetegui also said goodbye to the English team with good wishes before the media. “I wish Wolves and everyone at the club the best of luck for the future, and I am grateful for the opportunity given at the time to take charge of this wonderful club. It has been an honor to enjoy this adventure in the daily company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, the head of player support, Lisa Hollis, and each and every one of the employees; whom I want to thank for their support and help at all times”, underlines the Spanish coach. “Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given their all to achieve our goals, and especially the fans who made me feel like one of them from the first moment and have always been incredible with me, my team and my family”, says Lopetegui.
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