JULEN LOPETEGUI rejected an offer from Saudia Arabia side Al-Ittihad that would have made him one of the world’s top-paid coaches.
The ex-Wolves boss has been linked to other clubs during his unemployment and has caught the eye of Manchester United.
GettyJulen Lopetegui rejected a £15.5million offer to join Al-Ittihad[/caption]
PAThe Spaniard left Wolves during the summer due to the club’s financial issues[/caption]
The amount of money Saudi Arabia has previously offered players and coaches is staggering and has convinced many to make the move to the Middle East.
But Lopetegui, 57, was one of a few who turned down the offer to join Karim Benzema‘s side.
According to Spanish outlet AS the Jeddah club was willing to pay the Spaniard £15.5 million a season.
No coach in Europe has received this sort of paycheck and if the former Real Madrid boss accepted the offer he would be the highest-paid football coach in the world.
Turning down the offer meant Argentinian boss Marcelo Gallardo stepped in to replace ex-Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo who was sacked last month.
Lopetegui left Molineux during the summer after saving Wolves from relegation.
The West Midlands club’s lack of signings and financial problems led him to flee.
However, he remains in England and has not fully abandoned his post, while his leadership prowess attracts the attention of various clubs.
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After their poor start to the term and with a new stakeholder in Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the way Man Utd fans are speculating the future of Erik ten Hag‘s position at the club.
Lopetegui’s success at Sevilla winning the Europa League as well as three direct Champions League qualifications at the Spanish giants and Porto has attracted the Red Devils.
And his excellent work with Spain’s youth ranks has made him a candidate to maybe take over at Old Trafford.
After turning down the big bucks in the Gulf State he is likely to remain in Europe but at what club is yet to be decided.