Wolves and Lopetegui part ways 3 days before start of season
Wolves FC and manager, Julen Lopetegui, have agreed to part ways.
Wolves and Julen Lopetegui have reached an agreement to part ways, ending the Spaniard’s nine-month reign as head coach at the club.
Lopetegui joined Wolves in November and successfully guided the club to Premier League safety,
However, on a statement on the Wolves website, the club said: "The head coach and club acknowledged and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties."
Mr Lopetegui will continue to prepare the squad to be in their best condition ahead of the Premier League season while the club finds a successor.
Former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil is expected to replace him in the role.
Lopetegui arrived with the club bottom of the Premier League, and won nine league games from that point, including against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux, which helped the Old Gold secure a sixth successive top-flight campaign.
On a statement on the website, sporting director, Matt Hobbs, said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to thank Julen and his staff for their dedication and hard work during their time at the football club. They were brought in with the primary aim of keeping the club in the Premier League last season, an objective which they achieved with games to spare.
“While our ambition had been to move into the new season together, it is public knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key topics, and it was agreed by all parties that it would be best to part ways ahead of the new campaign.
“After a successful pre-season, full of hard work and good performances, Julen and his staff leave the squad in great shape ahead of the season opener next week, which will give his successor the best possible platform for success.
“We wish Julen and his team the very best of luck for the future, and they will always be welcome at Wolves.”
Lopetegui said: “I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.
“It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.
“Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family.”