Wolves’ reported pursuit of Julen Lopetegui has become much easier with the Spaniard’s sacking as Sevilla manager.
Lopetegui was dismissed after Sevilla’s 4-1 loss at home to Borussia Dortmund in a game that saw Jude Bellingham score.
Shortly after the game ended, Sevilla said in a statement: “Sevilla FC have sacked Julen Lopetegui as first-team coach following the clash between the Nervion team and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
“Lopetegui closes a successful stage with three magnificent campaigns in which the objectives were more than achieved and a fourth season in which, however, the results were not there, Sevilla FC adding five points out of 21 possible in La Liga.
“Lopetegui will forever remain among the highlights of Sevilla FC history for his brilliant achievement of the sixth UEFA Europa League in the 2019/20 season, his first in charge, which saw him enter the select club of seven coaches who have raised a national or international diploma in Nervión.
“Similarly, he reached the historic milestone of winning three consecutive Champions League qualifications via La Liga, with a total of 222 points in 121 games.
“With him, in addition, Sevilla FC achieved the record for goals to date in the First Division with 77 points in 2020/21, as well as the first Zamora Trophy in its history, that of Yassine Bono last season.
“Sevilla FC offered Julen Lopetegui the opportunity to say goodbye publicly at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan’s facilities.
“The Nervión entity wishes to highlight and thank the professionalism and good work of the Basque coach in the more than three years spent in the house, as well as wish him the best of luck and the greatest success in his new professional projects. .”
Multiple reports have named Lopetegui as the standout candidate to replace Bruno Lage as Wolves manager.
Wolves have had a poor start to the season as they sit 18th in the Premier League table with just six points from eight matches.
And while Lopetegui leaves Sevilla just one point above La Liga’s relegation zone and five points off second place in their Champions League groups, he has good managerial credentials.
Besides winning the Europa League with Sevilla, Lopetegui managed the Spanish national team.
However, that came to a sudden end two days before the start of Spain’s 2018 World Cup campaign after it was confirmed that he had accepted the post-tournament managerial role at Real Madrid.
The 46-year-old lasted just 138 days at the Bernabeu before getting the boot.