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According to several reports, former Wolves, Sevilla, and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui is emerging as a leading candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Lopetegui, 57, has been without a managerial position since mutually parting ways with Premier League side Wolves in August 2023. Despite spending only nine months at Wolves, Lopetegui, who previously won a Europa League title with Sevilla, guided the team to a 13th-place finish, which he described as his “greatest managerial achievement.”
Now, the former Wolves manager, whose brief stint as Real Madrid manager in 2018 ended abruptly, is reportedly in contention to take over at Manchester United. Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford has become increasingly uncertain following a disappointing second season, with United’s recent loss to rivals Manchester City exacerbating the situation.
Madrid-based outlet Relevo has confirmed that Lopetegui, now a candidate for the United job, turned down a lucrative offer from a Saudi Arabian club, indicating his preference for a managerial role in England.
Reportedly, Lopetegui sees Manchester United as “a project that fits perfectly with what he is looking for.” The United board values Lopetegui’s work at Wolves and his experience in European competitions. His bilingualism and coaching pedigree have positioned him as a leading contender for the role.
Discussing the potential appointment of Lopetegui, football analyst Dean Jones expressed his belief that United would be remiss not to seriously consider him for the job. Jones highlighted Lopetegui’s track record of improving teams, his ambition to secure a Premier League role, and his suitability for a higher-profile position than his previous role at Wolves.
Given the circumstances surrounding Ten Hag’s tenure, Jones suggested that if Ten Hag were to be sacked, Lopetegui would undoubtedly be a top contender for the managerial position at Manchester United.
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