Julen Lopetegui has already given his opinion on Wolves striker Diego Costa
Wolves are set to hold talks with Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui about replacing Bruno Lage as manager
Julen Lopetegui will find several players that he has worked with previously at Wolverhampton Wanderers if he accepts the challenge of replacing Bruno Lage.
The Spanish coach has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Lage as Wolves head coach after being sacked by Sevilla on Wednesday evening. Lopetegui, 56, is expected to hold talks with Wolves in the coming days.
He coached Wolves captain Ruben Neves at FC Porto, playing a significant role in the midfielder’s development by handing him his professional debut. Lopetegui also coached Jonny Castro Otto during his time in Spain’s youth set-up.
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More recently, Lopetegui worked with new Wolves striker Diego Costa during his time as manager of Spain. Costa was often Lopetegui’s first choice centre-forward during his two-year stint as national team boss.
Costa is already hugely important at Wolves, despite only making his debut against West Ham last time out, due to the fact that he is the only fit striker on the club’s books. Sasa Kalajdzic and Raul Jimenez have been ruled out indefinitely with respective knee and groin injuries.
Lopetegui will have to build his attack around the 34-year-old and he clearly rates the striker. Speaking in 2017, Lopetegui revealed his admiration for Costa’s playing style. He said: "If you are with us it is because we consider that your presence is important. We love you just the way you are.
"He has many good things and many to improve. We want him a little angry. Not a lot, but a little, yes, because he expresses this in his football as always. We love that part of Diego and we look for it."
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