Bad news for Wolves in manager update

Wolves have suffered a big blow in missing out on bringing in Julen Lopetegui as their new manager, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Lopetegui rejects Wolves job

Wanderers’ primary focus at the moment is finding a replacement for Bruno Lage, who lost his job earlier in the month after the 2-0 defeat away to West Ham.

It looked as though Lopetegui was nailed-on to become Wolves’ new manager after being named as the top target, only for him to turn down the role in order to focus on his family commitments in Spain.

The Spaniard could have been a high-profile addition at Molineux with a Europa League title on his CV, but the club must now focus on alternatives instead, with Nuno Espirito Santo thought be a genuine possibility.

The Latest: O’Rourke bemoans news

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke said that Lopetegui was indeed the ‘preferred candidate’, making the rejection a ‘big blow’:

“Yeah, it’s a big blow for Wolves, there’s no hiding from that fact. He was the preferred candidate to take over from Bruno Lage.

“And Wolves were pretty hopeful that they could get a deal agreed for Lopetegui, especially after he left Sevilla, but it appears that now he has decided to turn down Wolves due to family reasons. So it’s back to the drawing board.”

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The Verdict: Gutting

Missing out on Lopetegui was disappointing for Wolves – any time you lose your top candidate it is obviously a hit – but some things are far more important than football, and it is only right that he has put family first.

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Now though, it is essential that the Wanderers nail the alternative option, ensuring they rise up the Premier League table and stave off any threat of relegation to the Championship.

Nuno returning would be a risk, given his previous exit, so fellow target Pedro Martins stands out as arguably the best candidate, having won three successive Greek Super League titles with Olympiakos before his exit earlier this year.