Julen Lopetegui could now be about to seal a return to management – and the former Wolves head coach could be making a rather surprising move.
Julen Lopetegui has been out of work since he was sacked by West Ham United on January 8, having only been appointed in the summer of 2024.
He had been hoping to make a big impact at the London Stadium, after dramatically walking out on Wolves just a few days before the start of the 2023/24 season.
Lopetegui had left Wolves because he felt the goalposts had been moved on him by his superiors regarding recruitment.
It was a bit of a sour exit in the end, and then he only lasted 22 games at West Ham.
But it looks like Lopetegui is now ready to return to management – and the Spaniard’s proposed next job will certainly raise eyebrows.
Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui set to become new Qatar head coach
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
It has been claimed by AS amongst others that Lopetegui is now poised to take over as the new head coach of the Qatar national team.
AS say he is close to being appointed, with an offer on the table from the nation’s FA.
Top journalist Fabrizio Romano reports the deal is as good as done, saying: “Julen Lopetegui signs in as new Qatar head coach until June 2027, deal in place. New chapter for former West Ham and Wolves coach with deal due to be announced this week.”
🚨🇶🇦 Julen Lopetegui signs in as new Qatar head coach until June 2027, deal in place.
New chapter for former West Ham and Wolves coach with deal due to be announced this week. pic.twitter.com/YB7Qa9e4Lm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 30, 2025
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It’s stated by AS that Lopetegui is admired by Qatari officials, ‘who know of his experience on the bench and the good work with young players, something that is considered fundamental in the country’s growth through its Aspire academy’.
Currently, Qatar – who are ranked 55th in the world – are still in contention to make the World Cup finals in 2026.
They are fourth in their group at the moment, behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Why Julen Lopetegui left Wolves
So it looks like Lopetegui could have a new job very soon, and he will hope he has more success than his last two gigs.
Lopetegui’s exit from Wolves was a bit of a mess.
Reports had started to emerge about Lopetegui being unhappy as the 2022/23 season was finishing.
In the end, journalist Guillem Balague suggested Wolves lied to Lopetegui over potential new signings, and said that the goalposts had been moved on him, not once but twice.
Controversially, Lopetegui conducted an interview with Balague to express his disappointment, which actually irritated Wolves officials.
In the end, Lopetegui informed Matt Hobbs he wanted to leave after Wolves’ pre-season friendly with Celtic. he remained in position though while Hobbs found a successor, with O’Neil answering the SOS call.