“Julen Lopetegui Linked with SHOCK Premier League Return After Stints at West Ham and Wolves
Julen Lopetegui, the former manager of West Ham and Wolves, has emerged as a potential candidate to replace the struggling Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham ended in January after a difficult first half of the season, with Graham Potter taking over the role.
Prior to his time at West Ham, Lopetegui had managed Wolves during the 2022/23 season, guiding them to a 13th-place finish in the Premier League.
Although his spell at West Ham was underwhelming, Lopetegui boasts an impressive managerial resume, having achieved success with Sevilla, Real Madrid, and the Spanish national team.
His pedigree is believed to have caught the attention of Manchester United, especially as Amorim struggles to win over supporters.
Manchester United recently suffered a defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup at Old Trafford and have also lost to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur since February.
While Amorim’s side has secured narrow victories against Ipswich Town and Leicester City, their performances have raised doubts, with only one-goal margins in both wins and conceding in each match.
According to Fichajes, the loss to Fulham has prompted Manchester United to consider a change in management, with the club’s directors reportedly evaluating potential alternatives.
However, Amorim will reportedly be given “the next few months” to improve results.
At this early stage, three candidates have been mentioned, with Lopetegui among them. Former Germany manager Joachim Low and Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri are also being considered.
Fichajes highlights Lopetegui’s profile as appealing to Manchester United, stating: “With his experience at clubs like Sevilla and Real Madrid, Julen Lopetegui is a manager that Manchester United admires.
He has shown his ability to rebuild projects and make teams competitive, and he’s available after being dismissed by West Ham.”
A return to the Premier League would mark a significant moment for Lopetegui, who managed only seven wins in 22 matches at West Ham.
His time at the club saw a number of high-profile signings fail to make an impact.
Despite the setback, Lopetegui has remained optimistic and determined to make a comeback.
