WOLVES have parted company with Julen Lopetegui before a ball has even been kicked in the Premier League this season.
The Spaniard fell out with the club’s ownership due to the transfer activity this summer and “differences of opinion”.
GettyJulen Lopetegui has been sacked as Wolves boss[/caption]
GettyGary O’Neil is being lined up as his replacement[/caption]
Wolves have managed to bring in just two free transfers this summer with former player Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King the only arrivals.
To make matters worse Wolves have allowed Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, and Nathan Collins to leave.
This led Lopetegui, 56, to claim that the business has been a “big disappointment” to himself and sporting director Matt Hobbs.
Wolves in the meantime are reportedly prepared for his departure and have lined-up Gary O’Neil as his replacement.
Wolves released a statement tonight which read: “Wolves and Julen Lopetegui have reached an agreement to part ways, ending the Spaniard’s nine-month reign as head coach at the club.
“Lopetegui joined Wolves in November and successfully guided the club to Premier League safety, however, the head coach and club acknowledged and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties.
“Talks have been ongoing in recent weeks, held with the utmost respect and cordiality, affording the club time and space to begin work on finding a successor, while also ensuring that Julen and his backroom staff could continue their planned preparation to ensure the playing squad would be in the best possible condition for the start of the Premier League season.”
Lopetegui issued his own statement, saying: “I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.
“It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.
“Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family.”
Former Bournemouth boss O’Neil is red hot favourite to replace the former Real Madrid boss.
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He enjoyed a good start to life in management after guiding the Cherries to Premier League safety having replaced Scott Parker early on last season.
However, despite his success, he was axed in June with Spanish coach Andoni Iraola replacing him.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi, 46, has since said the exodus of players from Molineux is due to the club’s need to meet Financial Fair Play requirements.
Wolves have earned £91million from flogging players this summer, including the £47m sale of captain Neves to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Shi has claimed that the club is determined to “pass” the Premier League’s test on profit and sustainability at the end of the season.
The Old Gold did spend in January in order to escape relegation with deals worth £77m agreed which saw the likes of Matheus Cunha and Mario Lemina arrive.