Julen Lopetegui has emerged as a frontrunner to become the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager after Bruno Lage was sacked on Sunday.
The 56-year-old Sevilla manager is one of a number of candidates being considered by the club’s owners. A deal for the Spaniard would take time given that he is under contract with the Spanish side.
Lopetegui’s future at Sevilla is thought to be under threat after their 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Saturday left them only one point off the relegation zone having won only one of seven matches this season.
Those within Fosun Group, the owners of Wolves, have admired Lopetegui for a while and they would have made him their first appointment when they bought the club in 2016 if he had not turned them down to take the Spain job.
Lopetegui has links to Jorge Mendes, whose agency, Gestifute, has close links with Wolves. Lopetegui is in contract with Sevilla until 2024, meaning that Wolves would have to wait until he is sacked by the Spanish side if they are to avoid paying a fee for him.
The former Real Madrid manager is not the only manager in consideration, however. The club has drawn up a list of candidates who they will begin to talk to in the coming days.
It is understood that Pedro Martins, who was sacked by the Greek side Olympiacos in August, is also a consideration. So too is the Sporting manager, Rúben Amorim, though sources say a move the 37-year-old would be very difficult because he is unlikely to leave Sporting in the middle of the season. His contract there runs until 2024.
A return to the club for Nuno Espírito Santo, who left by mutual consent in 2021 after four years, has not been ruled out but sources say it would be highly unlikely that he would make a return.
While the club have begun the search for their new manager there is no suggestion that an appointment will be made imminently.
Steve Davis, who is the club’s Under-18 coach, and James Collins, who coaches the club’s Under-21 side, have begun to prepare the team for Saurday’s trip to Stamford Bridge. The pair are highly regarded at the club and, therefore, there is no concern about them being in charge for that clash in London.
The match against Chelsea offers Wolves the chance to claim their second win of the season. Their 2-0 loss against West Ham United on Sunday meant that they dropped into the relegation zone, having picked up only six points from a possible 24. Their struggles in front of goal continue, with only three goals scored this season.
