It is officially over between Wolves and Julen Lopetegui.
After much speculation, the club announced last night that they had reached an agreement with the Spaniard for him to leave the club.
The 56-year-old departs after nine months at the club.
He arrived just before the World Cup, and did a great job in getting Wolves back on the straight and narrow after an awful start under Bruno Lage.
He guided Wolves to a 13th place finish.
But shortly after the season ended, news of Wolves’ financial problems became public.
These financial issues are ultimately the reason Lopetegui has departed.
Although Lopetegui officially left last night, he actually decided he was going to leave some time ago…
Journalist shares the moment Julen Lopetegui decided he wanted to actually leave Wolves
Wolves have enjoyed some decent games in pre-season.
The result and performance against Rennes was especially encouraging, and some supporters allowed themselves to feel optimistic again after it.
But Lopetegui already knew by this game that he was going to leave.
In fact, it was just after the Celtic game on July 29 – 11 days ago – that Lopetegui apparently decided he was going to go.
That is according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone, who reported last night on Twitter that he ‘agreed to stay until a replacement was sorted’.
That is certainly a fair while ago when you consider how quickly everything has moved in the last 48 hours.
Wolves then spoke to candidates after Lopetegui told them of his wish, and Gary O’Neil was the standout.
It is expected that he will be announced as Lopetegui’s successor.
Lopetegui right to be frustrated with Wolves… but some of his behaviour has been poor
So Lopetegui had decided he wanted to leave Wolves after the 1-1 draw with Celtic.
It is frustrating that a parting of ways could not have come soon after that.
Because it would have been very useful for the new manager, probably O’Neil, to have gotten those games to work with his new players.
Lopetegui has reason to be very annoyed with Wolves, especially if the financial situation was never made clear to him before he even got the job.
But at the same time, some of his behaviour in the last few weeks has been very questionable.
The interview he did with Guillem Balague felt very needless, and now seems like it was designed to help him get out of Molineux.
Both Fosun and Lopetegui are to blame for Wolves heading into 2023/24 in a farcical state.