04 August 2023 , 19:32
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Wolves are already sounding out replacements for Julen Lopetegui.
Mirror Sport revealed on Thursday that the Spaniard is unhappy at the club and is considering his future after losing a string of his top stars. The Wolves hierarchy is well aware of the 56-year-old’s concerns and are making contingency plans to ensure they are not left in the lurch come the start of the season.
Their Premier League campaign starts on August 14, against Manchester United. Lopetegui saved the club from relegation oblivion last season after arriving last November.
He eventually steered them to a sturdy 13th but as the season drew to a close he questioned whether he would be able to continue at the club due to their restrictive transfer policy. Since then, Wolves have sold Raul Jimenez to Fulham, club captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and will also be without Nathan Collins, Ryan Giles, and Conor Coady this season.
Napoli want £35m-rated defender Max Kilman and talented Bristol City teenager Alex Scott - one of Lopetegui’s prime targets - is set to be snapped up by Bournemouth. Luton held Wolves to a goalless draw in their pre-season friendly on Wednesday, and the Molineux side will play their last warm up match on Saturday against Ligue 1's Rennes.
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While Wolves have lost a number of experienced players, there haven't been many new faces coming in. Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore have both completed permanent deals after joining on loan last term, but the only other senior additions are the returning Matt Doherty - on a free - and back-up goalkeeper Tom King.
Will Julen Lopetegui be at Wolves for their first game of the season? Have your say in the comments section
In an open letter to fans, published on Thursday, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi praised Lopetegui's achievements. The club sat bottom of the Premier League table at Christmas, but climbed to safety after the arrival of the new manager as well as new signings including Pablo Sarabia and Craig Dawson.
"Our head coach has undoubtedly done an excellent job since joining us last November," Shi wrote. "We hired him and his team at a very difficult moment and without a doubt they succeeded in the aims we set for them. Now, together with the players and all support staff, they are working hard again to prepare for the upcoming campaign.
"Throughout the last seven seasons, I have never had a month where everything was perfect. The reality of running a football club is to continuously face issues and challenges, and then tackle them with solutions. FFP is one of the more short-term and benign challenges we have faced. The club has gone through much more difficult tests in the past and will do so again in the future."