Julen Lopetegui
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui says the club’s relegation fight this year must be a wake up call as his talks with the owners continue. The manager’s own future at the club has been put into doubt after he revealed in the last two weeks he is in talks with chairman Jeff Shi and the owners about potential spending restrictions because of Financial Fair Play rules. Lopetegui said at his Friday afternoon press conference that those talks are continuing, but stressed the importance of getting plans in place for next season. Asked if he could understand fans’ concerns amid speculation about his future,
Julen Lopetegui said: “The real situation is I am very happy with our work, the fans are very happy with our work. I love our fans. The big merit of our success is our fans this year. I repeat that a lot but it is true. At home we have felt this energy. We will see what is going to happen. I have a contract, we have to talk. It is not about one day or two days, we have to talk about the solution for the future to be able to have one squad ready to compete again to be out of relegation next year. Because this year is more or less a wake up call. We have to learn why it has happened and to overcome and make our homework this summer, despite we have problems. We have to discuss and see. It is not about one or two days, we will see what is going to happen.”
Wolves were bottom of the table when Lopetegui was appointed in November but the former Real Madrid, Sevilla and Spain boss led them to safety with three games to play. But speculation about his future grew last week when he said talks with the owners had revealed an issue with Financial Fair Play that he wasn’t aware of when he joined the club. Wolves finish their season on Sunday when they go to Arsenal. So, although he fielded questions about his future at the press conference, Lopetegui said his immediate focus had to be on the game.
Julen Lopetegui said: “We have one new problem about the financial fair play. We will see, we have to discuss with the chairman and owners to, more importantly what the solutions are going to do. If you have a problem, you have to solve this problem. This is all. About my future, I have a contract and we will see what is going to happen. This is football, we don’t know. But this is the true situation now. Now we are here today because on Sunday we have an important match because it is the last match of the season against maybe the best team with Manchester City in the Premier League. They have been very close to winning the league. Of course they are going to want to make a good match in front of their fans so we have to go there ready. It is the last match but we have to be ready to compete with them.”
