{"id":65253,"date":"2025-05-01T08:59:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T08:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/65253\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T08:59:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T08:59:21","slug":"julen-lopetegui-now-set-for-very-left-field-managerial-job-after-stints-at-wolves-and-west-ham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/65253\/","title":{"rendered":"Julen Lopetegui now set for very left-field managerial job after stints at Wolves and West Ham"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Julen Lopetegui could now be about to seal a return to management \u2013 and the former Wolves head coach could be making a rather surprising move.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Julen Lopetegui<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lopetegui had left Wolves<\/a> because he felt the goalposts had been moved on him by his superiors regarding recruitment.<\/p>\n

It was a bit of a sour exit in the end, and then he only lasted 22 games at West Ham.<\/p>\n

But it looks like Lopetegui is now ready to return to management \u2013 and the Spaniard\u2019s proposed next job will certainly raise eyebrows.<\/p>\n

Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui set to become new Qatar head coach\"PhotoPhoto by Carl Recine\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

It has been claimed by AS<\/a> amongst others that Lopetegui is now poised to take over as the new head coach of the Qatar national team.<\/p>\n

AS say he is close to being appointed, with an offer on the table from the nation\u2019s FA.<\/p>\n

Top journalist Fabrizio Romano reports the deal is as good as done, saying: \u201cJulen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udea8\ud83c\uddf6\ud83c\udde6 Julen Lopetegui signs in as new Qatar head coach until June 2027, deal in place.<\/p>\n

New chapter for former West Ham and Wolves coach with deal due to be announced this week. pic.twitter.com\/YB7Qa9e4Lm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

It\u2019s stated by AS that Lopetegui is admired by Qatari\u00a0officials, \u2018who know of his experience on the bench and the good work with young players, something that is considered fundamental in the country\u2019s growth through its\u00a0Aspire\u00a0academy\u2019.<\/p>\n

Currently, Qatar \u2013 who are ranked 55th in the world \u2013 are still in contention to make the World Cup finals in 2026.<\/p>\n

They are fourth in their group at the moment, behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

Why Julen Lopetegui left Wolves<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Lopetegui\u2019s exit from Wolves was a bit of a mess.<\/p>\n

Reports had started to emerge about Lopetegui being unhappy as the 2022\/23 season was finishing.<\/p>\n\nJulen Lopetegui record at Wolves (November 2022-May 2023)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGames managed \u2013 27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nWins \u2013 10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nDraws \u2013 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nLosses \u2013 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGoals scored \u2013 31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGoals conceded \u2013 42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nPremier League points won \u2013 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

In the end, journalist Guillem Balague suggested Wolves lied to Lopetegui over potential new signings<\/a>, and said that the goalposts had been moved on him, not once but twice.<\/p>\n

Controversially, Lopetegui conducted an interview with Balague to express his disappointment<\/a>, which actually irritated Wolves officials.<\/p>\n

In the end, Lopetegui informed Matt Hobbs he wanted to leave after Wolves\u2019 pre-season friendly with Celtic<\/a>. he remained in position though while Hobbs found a successor, with O\u2019Neil answering the SOS call.<\/p>\n