Julen Lopetegui has officially left Wolves.
The Spaniard is no longer the head coach, after the club reached an agreement for him to leave yesterday.
After much speculation, the 56-year-old has walked away from Molineux.
The club’s financial situation is the result for him going.
Lopetegui had continually expressed his desire to strengthen the squad. And ultimately, Wolves couldn’t provide him with the tools to do his job.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Lopetegui did an interview with journalist Guillem Balague where he reiterated his frustrations about the situation.
This is said to have irritated the Molineux hierarchy.
But during his time at Wolves, Lopetegui is said to have been a popular figure.
Julen Lopetegui was well liked by the Wolves players
The Athletic have this morning reported about Lopetegui behind the scenes at Wolves and Compton Park.
There are a few lines about what he was like.
According to the publication, he more in common with Nuno Espirito Santo than his predecessor Bruno Lage.
It is stated that ‘Lopetegui generally got on with the players, most of whom liked him and the majority of whom will be disappointed to see him leave’.
He could be ‘prickly’, an ‘alpha male’ and even ‘blunt and forthright’. But people still had time for him, certainly the players.
Players must pick themselves up and give the new manager everything
Who knows what the players are feeling right now.
This is a crazy situation, given the game with Manchester United is just days away.
Lopetegui always did give the impression that he was very well liked and respected.
You need only look at some of the player interviews shortly after he arrived. Everyone was hailing him, and the positivity did continue right the way through to the end of the season.
But there was a sense of Lopetegui not wanting to be there are the end, meaning it was best for a parting of ways.
The players must now be the most professional they have ever been, pick themselves up and give their all for the new manager, with Gary O’Neil set to come in.