Sport
Julen Lopetegui is the ambitious appointment Wolves needed to mark the start of a new era
Wolves wanted Julen Lopetegui as their new manager even before they sacked Bruno Lage and they weren’t prepared to be denied in their pursuit of the Spaniard. At first, Lopetegui appeared unsure of the Molineux club’s offer, rejecting their first approach, but the former Sevilla manager will take charge in the West Midlands in the World Cup break.
Until then, Wolves were sleepwalking through the season. They have won just two of their opening 14 Premier League fixtures, putting them second-bottom of the table, yet there was no sign of any urgency at Molineux following the exit of Lage with the club initially stating interim manager Steve Davis would stay in place until 2023.
Recent results and performances forced their hand, though, and prompted Wolves to go back to Lopetegui, their first-choice, with a fresh offer. The 56-year-old is the sort of ambitious appointment the West Midlands club needed to mark the start of a new era. Wolves need a fresh vision and Lopetegui will provide that.
Some Wolves fans might have preferred their club to have hired a manager with past Premier League experience. Rafael Benitez and Sean Dyche were mentioned as potential candidates for the job and both coaches are currently out of work. They might have represented a safer option for Wolves who face a fight against relegation this season.
But Lopetegui has a higher ceiling than either Benitez or Dyche. The 56-year-old is highly regarded at the top of the game that he was considered for the Manchester United job before they ultimately appointed Erik ten Hag this summer. If Wolves give him the resources he requires, Lopetegui could build a team capable of competing against the Premier League’s best.
“Julen is a top coach, with excellent experience at an elite level of the game,” said Wolves chairman Jeff Shi after news of Lopetegui’s appointment was confirmed before the World Cup break. “Since the very beginning, Julen has been our number one choice to manage Wolves, and we look forward to welcoming him and his team when they join us in the coming weeks.”
Lopetegui has inherited a talented squad. This is certainly true in the attack where Wolves have spent big in recent windows – Raul Jimenez, Sasa Kaladzic, Goncalo Guedes, Adama Traore, Diego Costa, Daniel Podence, Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan will provide the former Sevilla and Real Madrid coach with a number of options in the final third.
Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Matheus Nunes are also excellent midfield technicians in the centre of the pitch while Rayan Alt-Nouri is one of the Premier League’s best attacking full backs on his day. Wolves are lacking defensive leaders after the departure of Conor Coady and Rui Patricio in the summer window, but there is quality for Lopetegui to work with.
Wolves lost their way following the exit of Nuno Espirito Santo as manager. This isn’t to say Nuno should have stayed at Molineux – Wolves had clearly reached the end of a cycle under the Portuguese coach – but the club has lacked vision over the last two seasons. Lage was unable to offer a coherent strategy.
In this sense, Lopetegui should offer something stronger almost as soon as he walks through the door at Molineux. The Spaniard is a sharp tactician who will turn Wolves into a more adaptable and nimble outfit if given the time to mould the team in his own image. Wolves don’t have much time, given their current predicament, but Lopetegui’s appointment at least reflects a desire for things to get better at Molineux.
