Julen Lopetegui Leaves Role As Wolves Manager Due To "Differences Of Opinion On Some Key Topics"

Manager Julen Lopetegui has left Wolverhampton Wanderers just three days before the start of the new EPL season. Lopetegui had been at Wolves since November.

Julen Lopetegui has left Wolverhampton Wanderers just three days before the start of the new Premier League season.

The former Real Madrid boss had been appointed as Wolves manager in November and led the side to nine wins in 23 EPL games.

But he will not be in charge on Monday when Wolves begin the new campaign with a trip to Manchester United.

It is widely expected that Lopetegui will be replaced by ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil.

Wolves parted company with manager Julen Lopetegui on Tuesday :: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Manjit Narotra

Wolves had known for much of the summer that Lopetegui wanted to leave, largely due to disagreements with the club's owners regarding transfer policy.

Sporting director Matt Hobbs said in a statement on Tuesday: "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 added: "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."

Lopetegui's backroom staff - consisting of Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado, Oscar Caro, Edu Rubio, Borja De Alba Alonso and Daniel Lopetegui - will also leave the club this summer.