Former West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is reportedly wanted by a 'top' Premier League team amid the Spaniard ruling out a Mexican coaching post.
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Lopetegui sacked by West Ham in January'Top' Premier League side wants SpaniardWon't take up Mexican club postFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Lopetegui was sacked less than eight months into his West Ham tenure, with former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter going on to succeed him. However, El Chiringuito journalist Julio Suarez claims a "very big" Premier League club wants to recruit him but he will not become the new coach of Rayados in Mexico, following Martín Demichelis' sacking.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'THERE'S A TEAM THAT WOULD BE VERY EXCITED'
He said on El Chiringuito TV: “What we have, from Julen Lopetegui’s entourage, is that right now, Julen Lopetegui’s plans don’t involve managing Rayados. Right now, Julen Lopetegui’s main goal is to coach in the Premier League. He still has that idea in mind; he wants to continue coaching in the league he loves so much. His goal is to manage a top Premier League team, where he continues to have a very good reputation, where there are clearly some big teams who have him on their radar, and Julen’s plans include finding a new opportunity in the Premier League. Uh, there’s a team, but I can’t say, I can’t say the team. I know there’s a team that would be very excited. Is the team big? It’s very big, it’s big, it’s top, it’s top, but no, no, no, I can’t say.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lopetegui was given a summer transfer war chest of £130 million ($168m) in 2024 but he won just six of his 20 Premier League games in charge and left West Ham 14th in the division. Despite this underwhelming stint, the 58-year-old appears to still have options thanks to his work at Sevilla, FC Porto, and more.
(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Former Wolves boss Lopetegui may have to be patient before another Premier League job becomes available. But by the sounds of it, he will not be short of managerial offers across the globe.