Wolves Engage in Contract Termination Talks with Julen Lopetegui as Gary O'Neil Tops Succession List
Wolves consider terminating Julen Lopetegui's contract amidst concerns over lack of spending and player departures Gary O'Neil emerges as a potential replacement Stay tuned as Wolves kick off the Premier League season against Man Utd, live on Sky Transfer updates included
Wolves are currently engaged in negotiations with Julen Lopetegui regarding the mutual termination of his contract. Gary O'Neil, the former Bournemouth manager, is a candidate of particular interest to Wolves for potential discussions regarding the managerial position after Lopetegui's departure. Lopetegui commenced his tenure at Wolves in November 2022, at a time when the club resided at the bottom of the Premier League standings.
Lopetegui has expressed dissatisfaction with the club's minimal investment in the current summer transfer window and has grown increasingly frustrated in recent weeks. He aims to improve upon their 13th-place position from the previous season, but has faced the departure of several key players due to Wolves' urgent need to lower wages and abide by Financial Fair Play regulations.
O'Neil, who has been unemployed since his dismissal by Bournemouth in June, has been connected to numerous job opportunities throughout the summer. Despite defying expectations and accumulating 39 points, leading to a 15th place finish in the Premier League, he was unable to retain his position.
The Wolves hierarchy believe O'Neil could do a similar job with little funds and a much-needed morale boost for the club.
Wolves start PL season at Man Utd on MNF - live on Sky
Wolves will start their 2023/24 Premier League campaign away at Manchester United on Monday August 14, live on Monday Night Football at 8pm.
The Wolves, who secured a 13th place finish in the Premier League last season, will begin their upcoming fixtures by hosting Brighton at Molineux on August 19. This will be followed by away games against Everton on August 26 and Crystal Palace on September 2.
On September 30th, Wolves will face the treble-winners Manchester City at home, and the following weekend on October 7, they will engage in the first Black Country derby of the season against Aston Villa. The reverse fixture against Villa is scheduled for March 30.
The initial match against Nottingham Forest will be held at Molineux on December 9, while the second match at the City Ground is scheduled for April 13.
Towards the end of the season, Wolves will encounter a challenging period, including a home game against Arsenal on April 20, followed by away matches against Manchester City (May 4) and Liverpool on the final day, May 19.
Wolves' transfer ins and outs
InBoubacar Traore - Metz, £9.5m
Matt Doherty - Atletico Madrid, free
Tom King - Northampton, free
Out
Ryan Giles - Luton, undisclosed
Luke Cundle - Plymouth, loan
Conor Coady - Leicester, £7.5m
Nathan Collins - Brentford, £23m
Raul Jimenez - Fulham, £5.5m
Ruben Neves - Al Hilal, £47m
Hayao Kawabe - Standard Liege, undisclosed
Dion Sanderson - Birmingham, undisclosed
Jackson Smith - Walsall, undisclosed
Diego Costa - Released
Luke Matheson - Released
Joao Moutinho - Released
Taylor Perry - Released
Michael Agboola - Released
Lee Harkin - Released
Jack Hodnett - Released
Jack Scott - Released
Theo Corbeanu - Grasshoppers, loan
Ki-Jana Hoever - Stoke, loan
Chiquinho - Stoke, loan
Nigel Lonwijk - Grasshoppers, loan
Louis Moulden - Rochdale, loan
Tyler Roberts - Doncaster, loan
Dexter Lembikisa - Rotherham, loan
Ollie Tipton - Notts County, loan
Matija Sarkic - Millwall, undisclosed
