Julen Lopetegui’s future as Wolves manager is in doubt due to the club’s financial situation, according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. Lopetegui, 56, said last week that it would be “difficult to compete” in the Premier League without investment. He added that he had recently been made aware of the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) “problems”. Talks this week between the club and Lopetegui will give a clearer picture of his future, even though he is under contract.
Lopetegui was appointed in November when Wolves were bottom of the league, and he led them comfortably clear of relegation with three games remaining. He has won nine of his 22 league games in charge and the club are currently 13th.
However, Lopetegui said he had been made aware of issues he “didn’t know before” in a meeting with chairman Jeff Shi. Premier League rules mean clubs can only accumulate losses of £105m over a three-year period. In their last financial results Wolves posted a £46.1m loss, before adding 10 senior players this season – plus two more on loan – suggesting further losses on their next accounts.
