The opponent changed the coach right before the match against Man Utd
Lopetegui has a contract with Wolves until the summer of 2025, but the two sides agree to part ways soon. The Spanish coach will receive compensation of not less than a year's salary. Before that, Lopetegui received $ 3.8 million per year - the highest salary for a coach in Wolves history.
Lopetegui joined Molineux Stadium from November 2022. He helped Wolves stay relegated for the 2022-2023 season, but disagreed with the leadership over transfer policy. This summer, Wolves sold a series of players to bring in $ 116 million, including Ruben Neves - captain midfielder to Al Hilal for 60 million. In the opposite direction, the team ranked 13th in the Premier League last season only recruited defender Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King on a free transfer.
According to Chairman Jeff Shi, Wolves need to sell players to meet financial fair play laws. "'As owners and managers of the club, we must learn and follow the rules of profitability and sustainability,'" Si said. "Before the end of the 2023-2024 season, the club will be tested financially, and we have to make sure it passes, like five seasons ago."
Wolves also said they supported Lopetegui as much as possible by spending $98 million on shopping during the January mid-season transfer window. Initially, they only intended to spend that money in this summer market, but had to Use earlier to increase your chances of relegation.
According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are about to appoint England coach Gary O'Neil to replace Lopetegui. O'Neil helped Bournemouth stay relegated last season, but was sacked to make way for Andoni Iraola, coach from Rayo Vallecano club. He is likely to sign a three-year contract and receive a salary much lower than Lopetegui's.
On August 14, Wolves will host Man Utd in the opening match of the 2023-2024 Premier League. In the last two "Red Devils" matches last season, the London team lost with the scores 0-1 and 0-2. In the six friendlies prepared for this season, Wolves have won four and drawn two.
Lopetegui has coached Porto, Real, Sevilla and Spain. In 2018, when he was preparing to attend the World Cup with Spain, he was fired for secretly negotiating with Real. In the 2019-2020 season, he helped Sevilla win the Europa League.
