Julen Lopetegui, who departed from Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer, is eagerly awaiting his next coaching opportunity while maintaining a watchful eye on his former team. Lopetegui extended his best wishes to Wolves for the future and foresees a promising season under the leadership of his successor, Gary O’Neil, in the Premier League.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5Live, Lopetegui fondly reminisced about his ten-month tenure at Wolves, characterizing it as a delightful chapter. During that time, he steered the team from a precarious position in the league to a more comfortable mid-table position, securing impressive victories over Chelsea, Tottenham, and Liverpool at Molineux.
Following the departure of key players in the summer transfer window, including Raul Jimenez, Diego Costa, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, and Adama Traore, Lopetegui grew uneasy about the lack of incoming signings. Consequently, Wolves and Lopetegui mutually agreed to part ways shortly before the new season commenced. Despite this, Lopetegui has chosen to remain in the area and continues to observe his former club while waiting for his next coaching opportunity to materialize.
“We exchanged well wishes, me for the club and the club for me. It was a football decision influenced by various factors I’d rather not delve into today. I prefer to look toward the future and see what lies ahead, but it was a wonderful experience,” Lopetegui remarked.
“I must express my gratitude to the club, the fans, and the people for affording me the opportunity to experience what I did during those ten months. I sincerely wish them all the best. I am confident they will have a successful season, and I am eager to embark on my next journey.
“I’ve cherished many aspects of my time in Wolverhampton. The community has been exceptionally welcoming to me and my family. I’ve felt an abundance of love from the city. I am immensely content with our time there and have created cherished memories. Throughout my life, I will continue to wish the best not only for the football club but for all the people in the city because, as I mentioned, we’ve been very, very happy there.”
As Lopetegui remains uncertain about his future career path, he remains committed to staying in England. Job openings across Europe, such as at Villarreal in Spain and Lyon in France, have surfaced in recent weeks and months. However, Lopetegui has chosen to stay put, hoping for another opportunity in the English Premier League.
“We will have to wait and see what unfolds,” he added. “The future is always uncertain, but if you were to ask me about my preference, it’s quite clear – it’s England and the Premier League. I can’t predict the nature of the projects that may arise, but up to this point, I’ve received offers from various leagues, all of which are reputable.
“I’ve declined them because I want to be completely convinced. I need to believe in the project, in its potential to achieve the team’s objectives. I’m not afraid of challenges; last year, we faced a daunting one as we were near the bottom of the league on Boxing Day.
“I can’t provide a definitive answer at the moment, but if I do say ‘yes’ in the future, it’s because I believe in the project and am committed to advancing my coaching career. It’s of paramount importance to me that I can find happiness in my work.”