<p>Julen Lopetegui, who was the frontrunner for the managerial job at West Ham, has reportedly turned down the offer.</p>



<p>While Lopetegui was in command of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/julen-lopetegui-could-make-drastic-decision-on-wolves-future-20230804-WST-447689.html">Wolverhampton</a> before, that tenure was brief. Having taken over for Bruno Lage in November 2022, the Spaniard led Wolves to a 13th-place finish the previous season.</p>



<p>On the other hand, Lopetegui’s relationship with Wolves’ upper management quickly began to fray. He lost his temper last summer when Wolves could not replace star players like Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, and Nathan Collins due to financial constraints.</p>



<p>It was Gary O’Neil that the club had to recruit to replace the Spaniard. The latter opted to depart Molineux only days before the start of the current season. After that, the Saudi Pro League offered Lopetegui a substantial deal to join up there.</p>



<p>But he allegedly turned it down since running a big club in Europe is his next managerial goal.  It appears that it will not be long before <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> officially name the Spanish manager as their new head coach.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="439" height="550" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/16042735/image-19-439x550.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-504056" sizes="(max-width: 439px) 100vw, 439px"></figure></div><figcaption>Not all fans are happy with the prospect of Lopetegui taking over at AC Milan</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Lopetegui in high regard in Italy</h2>



<p>After losing the Serie A championship to Inter, the Italian giants are getting ready for a leadership shakeup. The 57-year-old is favored above all other candidates to succeed Stefano Pioli as the San Siro manager when the current season concludes.</p>



<p>Despite renewed interest from West Ham, the Rossoneri are now in the final stages of negotiations with Lopetegui to complete a contract. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/27/julen-lopetegui-west-ham-david-moyes-milan-football" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a> states that he turned down the opportunity to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium and return to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>.</p>



<p>As part of their rebuilding strategy, the San Siro outfit are poised to offer the ex-Spain boss a two-year deal. Actually, <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/28-04-2024/milan-all-in-su-lopetegui-pronto-un-contratto-fino-al-2027-serve-l-ok-di-cardinale.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Gazzetta dello Sport</a> suggest that Milan leaders like Lopetegui’s ability to bring out the best in young players. After reviewing his resume, the Serie A giants were likewise pleased.</p>



<p>Going to Italy would be a fresh start for the manager, who has had spells in charge of England, Portugal, Spain, and Spain since 2003.</p>



<h2>What do Milan fans think?</h2>



<p>He would be an excellent match for the Rossoneri, according to even Monchi, the ex-director of Sevilla, who s<a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Milan/28-04-2024/monchi-milan-fidati-di-lopetegui-sa-lavorare-coi-big-e-gestisce-le-pressioni_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&amp;origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FCalciomercato%2FMilan%2F28-04-2024%2Fmonchi-milan-fidati-di-lopetegui-sa-lavorare-coi-big-e-gestisce-le-pressioni.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poke highly of his countryman</a>. In 2019, he named Lopetegui head coach of the Rojiblancos.</p>



<p>“Julen has three virtues that I find fundamental for any coach: great professional qualities, competitiveness, and group management. I immediately felt these qualities when I started talking to him about the Sevilla job. You don’t lose these characteristics with time; on the contrary, you consolidate them with experience.” </p>



<p>“He’d have no problems because he is accustomed to working in top clubs, so with great expectations and pressure.</p>



<p>“Think about Porto, Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. For this reason, I am convinced Julen is the ideal candidate to take charge of a club like Milan, one of the biggest in Europe. Julen perfectly understands what a big club needs, he has his requests.</p>



<p>“However, it’s normal, and he always works in sync with the club. He is demanding but only for the good of those who appointed him and never out of selfishness.”</p>



<p>In spite of this, Milan supporters are still fuming about the reports of discussions between the club and Lopetegui. In an effort to halt the possible appointment, fans of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-serie-a-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Serie A</a> powerhouse have launched a “Nopetegui” petition.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Inpho Photography</p>


No England return: Lopetegui set to join Pulisic and Musah

Julen Lopetegui, who was the frontrunner for the managerial job at West Ham, has reportedly turned down the offer.

No England return: Lopetegui set to join Pulisic and Musah - World Soccer Talk

<p>The hot favorite to take over as Milan coach for the next season is a controversial former manager of Spain.</p>



<p>With elimination from the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a>, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League, Milan’s season has been a bitter disappointment. The fact that Inter have a chance to win the Scudetto in Monday’s derby only adds salt to the wound.</p>



<p>After winning the Serie A title in 2021-22, the Rossoneri will go without a trophy for the second year in a row. </p>



<p>Consistent public support from management, a strong run in Europe, and seven consecutive wins beginning in March all worked in Pioli’s favor. They all increased the likelihood that he would remain.</p>



<p>Nonetheless, after two very concerning displays, they were knocked out of the Europa League, ending their only hope of lifting a trophy this season. </p>



<p>Since Inter are so far above their city rivals in the league, this looks to have been the last straw for Stefano Pioli’s future with the club.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="430" height="379" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/16043010/image-14-430x379.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-502650" sizes="(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px"></figure></div><figcaption>Pioli is widely expected to leave AC Milan</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Lopetegui to replace Pioli?</h2>



<p>Rumor has it that <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Milan/20-04-2024/milan-lopetegui-nuovo-allenatore-delusioni-gioie-e-miracoli.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Gazzetta dello Sport</a> reports that Julen Lopetegui, a former coach of the Spanish national team, would be joining Milan for the next season. There needs to be a change in management at the club’s level, and Stefano Pioli has done his turn.</p>



<p>Lopetegui resigned as manager of Wolves in the Premier League because the club disapproved of his expensive signings. </p>



<p>Aside from managing Real Madrid, Porto, he won the Europa League with Sevilla. The 57-year-old has also coached the Spanish national teams at the U19, U20, and U21 levels.</p>



<p>With a spot in next year’s Champions League almost certain and second place all but assured, Milan can go on with their plans for the next campaign without worrying about this one. However, club owner Gerry Cardinale has not yet made a final decision, despite recent interactions between the two.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the San Siro side have a <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/milan-prossimo-allenatore-serie-a-2024-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shortlist of potential managers</a> that includes Paulo Fonseca, Christophe Galtier, Xavi, Ruben Amorim, and Marcelo Gallardo.</p>



<h2>What does it mean for Pulisic?</h2>



<p>A change of coaches may not help <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/milan-prepares-pulisic-contract-extension-amid-blazing-form/">Christian Pulisic</a> much, however. </p>



<p>The Italian coach was instrumental in Milan’s acquisition of Pulisic and Yunus Musah of the USMNT last summer. Pulisic has been in fine form since joining the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-serie-a-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Serie A</a> giants, with eight assists and 13 goals in 44 outings across all competitions.</p>



<p>Thus, fans are gushing about the winger’s acquisition, especially since the club only spent more than $21 million for him. Even the player seemed to have something to thank current coach Stefano Pioli for after his outstanding season. </p>



<p>The manager’s faith in his abilities, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pulisics-father-reveals-reason-for-milan-move-and-revival-in-form/">said Mark Pulisic</a>, is a key factor in his son’s performance.</p>



<p>“Christian has had everyone’s trust. Pioli trusts him, he always lets him play and doesn’t immediately replace him if things go wrong. Then he likes Milan, and he always speaks well of his teammates. Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud helped him a lot when it came to choosing Milan,” he said.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Pulisic and Musah to have ex-Spain coach at Milan next season?

The hot favorite to take over as Milan coach for the next season is a controversial former manager of Spain.

Pulisic and Musah to have ex-Spain coach at Milan next season? - World Soccer Talk

<p>Reports indicate that barely nine months after joining Wolves, Julen Lopetegui is considering quitting Molineux.</p>



<p>The team’s fortunes improved greatly with the arrival of the Spanish coach in November 2022. Through his leadership, they were able to complete the 2022-23 season in a respectable 13th position.</p>



<p>However, Lopetegui initially caused concern as the season was winding down. With the club’s transfer policy so limited, he wondered how long he would be allowed to stay.</p>



<h2>Wolves have only signed two players this summer</h2>



<p>Since joining the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Wolverhampton</a> side last year, the 56-year-old revealed that he was unaware of the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues, which had an enormous effect on his transfer budget. As a result, the club has lost several high-profile players.</p>



<p>The list now includes <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fulham-agree-deal-with-aleksandar-mitrovics-replacement-20230723-WST-444900.html">Raul Jimenez</a> to Premier League rivals Fulham and club captain Ruben Neves, who joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal at the start of the window.</p>



<p>In the meantime, Wolves finalized permanent deals with loanees Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore. Additionally, the only new players arriving are Matt Doherty and Tom King. Both joined in the 2023 transfer window. Moreover, Doherty is a player returning to the club after a few struggling seasons at Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is reportedly considering his position at the club after a lack of signings 😮<br><br>And it&apos;s not hard to see why 😐 <a href="https://t.co/yGbCrR3eKg">pic.twitter.com/yGbCrR3eKg</a></p>— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMuk_news/status/1687380317751918592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Lopetegui could quit club before start of season</h5>



<p>As a consequence, <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/wolves-julen-lopetegui-premier-league-30624754" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Mirror</em></a> reports that Lopetegui is weighing his options at Molineux. In fact, he may decide to depart. Reminder, the Premier League campaign starts in less than two weeks.</p>



<p>It has been claimed that he is unhappy with the club’s transfer dealings. In addition, he reportedly thinks they lack the necessary personnel to compete in the English Premier League next season.</p>



<p>In a podcast last week, Lopetegui expressed his displeasure with the club: “We went to a plan B [with transfers], trying to think about cost-effective players, but we can’t develop this plan, too. We lost a lot of players and we think the club want to sell more players.</p>



<p>“It’s a pity because you are thinking at any moment key players can come and, in the end, they don’t for different reasons. We were excited by this new plan, but now we don’t have this plan because we don’t have any new players.’</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; PA Images</em></p>


Julen Lopetegui could make drastic decision on Wolves future

The paucity of transfer activity has Julen Lopetegui facing a dramatic choice about his future as manager of Wolves.

<p>It’s been just three years since <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/08/21/sevilla-beat-inter-in-thrilling-final-to-win-sixth-europa-league/">Sevilla lifted the Europa League</a> trophy in front of an awed crowd in Cologne.</p>



<p>From big wins against Roma and United to a breath-taking match against Inter, Sevilla clinched their sixth Europa League title, and their first in four years.</p>



<p>For a while, between 2019 and 2022, Sevilla looked like a challenger to the ‘big three’ of LaLiga: Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. The<em> Palanganas</em> often finished fourth. </p>



<p>Not only did this clinch a Champions League spot. Sevilla threatened the traditional Spanish soccer hierarchy.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Sevilla players and manager in tears! Amazing scenes as they win the Europa League for sixth time!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E9bYXmI94S4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Sevilla was just as adept in the boardroom as they were on the field. The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium churned out talent after talent. Some was great, Pablo Sarabia, Wissam Ben Yedder and more recently Jules Koundé. Some was less impressive despite strong stints. For instance, Vitolo, Steven Nzonzi and Clement Lenglet.</p>



<p>Year after year, Sevilla forged more and more competitive teams with bigger and bigger signings. That was, until, it all went bust.</p>



<p>Nearing the halfway point of the La Liga season, Sevilla has just eleven points in 14 games. That’s good for just two wins and seven total losses, putting them at a dismal <a href="https://www.skysports.com/la-liga-table" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">18th</a>. </p>



<p>Unlike the stories of <a href="https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-sunderland-fell-premier-league-14561202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunderland</a> and Blackburn Rovers FC with many gradually depressing seasons, the Sevilla downfall has been harsh.</p>



<h5>Offseason business</h5>



<p>You can probably link Sevilla’s inadequacy with their laid-back approach to the summer 2022 transfer window. </p>



<p>Sevilla bid <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/08/01/kounde-proud-to-join-ambitious-barcelona/">adieu to Jules Koundé</a> in its most lucrative transfer of all time. Also selling Diego Carlos and Lucas Ocampos, among other recognizable names.</p>



<p>To replace the reliable center-back pairing of Kounde and Carlos, Sevilla turned to former Bayern defender Tanguy Nianzou and Marcao. The Spanish side acquired those two for around $30 million, combined. </p>



<p>Then, Sevilla replaced three players from last season, Ocampos, Munir El Haddadi and Anthony Martial, with three players. Sevilla signed Isco, Kasper Dolberg and Adnan Januzaj.</p>



<p>Not exactly the best return.</p>



<p>Although any club will welcome a profit of $67.4 million from transfers, no one wants to do it by losing some key players. Although transferring out Kounde, Carlos, and Ocampos for big bucks is understandable, their replacements have proved to be mediocre at best. </p>



<p>Nianzou has been average, and Marcao has played in just seven games due to a multiple injuries. Dolberg, Januzaj, and Isco have combined for zero goals this season. Isco, with two assists on this season, reportedly left Sevilla after a row with Sevilla sporting director Monchi.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Sevilla FC have reached an agreement with Isco Alarcón to terminate his contract. <a href="https://t.co/BmMwgTRAuW">pic.twitter.com/BmMwgTRAuW</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1605560706232946690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Sevilla had to sell their players now rather than let them walk for free later. But, they definitely could have found better replacements after they sold them. It would come back to nip them in the bud when the season started.</p>



<h5>Chaos on and off the field</h5>



<p>Sevilla’s season started with a bang; a bad one. Sevilla lost several winnable games in the beginning of the season. </p>



<p>Sevilla lost to both newly promoted Almeria and midtable Osasuna, 2-1. Despite a 3-2 win over Espanyol, Sevilla entered another winless drought.</p>



<p>Saddled with Champions League games and a tough schedule, Sevilla would go winless for an entire month. Julen Lopetegui, the overseer of Sevilla’s rise to prominence, paid the price with his job. The breaking point was a grim 4-1 loss to Dortmund that put its Champions League dreams in major jeopardy. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Borussia Dortmund vs. Sevilla: Extended Highlights | UCL Group Stage MD 4 | CBS Sports Golazo" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OzlgBfE20x0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>New manager Jorge Sampaoli has only been slightly better. Sampaoli salvaged qualification to the Europa League with a 3-0 win over FC Kobenhaven; the club’s only win in the competition. Yet, it has only gotten worse. Aside from a close 1-0 win over Mallorca in October, Sevilla remains in the midst of a downfall in LaLiga.</p>



<h5>Answering the downfall of Sevilla</h5>



<p>Sevilla needs more than a bigger bank and better results. It needs an overhaul in the tactical department. Sampaoli is in his second stint as Sevilla manager. He is more famous for leading Chile to its first Copa America title. </p>



<p>Sampaoli is a prudent coach. He likes to control the tempo of the match by keeping possession and attacking only when the time is right.</p>



<p>In all of the teams under his guise, there has been some degree of experimentation with the squad’s formation. </p>



<p>It’s the same with Sevilla, as Sampaoli bounced between a 4-2-3-1, a 5-4-1 and more. But one element stays the same; the team’s possession rates.</p>



<p>All of Sevilla’s wins with Sampaoli have come when Sevilla had a possession over 55%. It’s why teams like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Manchester City have wreaked Sevilla; they prevented them from having time on the ball.</p>



<p>That, and a conservative defense that minimize risks and does not lunge into tackles, leads to lots of low-quality opportunities.</p>



<p>Sampaoli’s measured approach has made Sevilla fourth in attempted passes and fifth in completed passes. Most of Sevilla’s offense comes from rebounds off of shots, which would be expected considering Sevilla average around 12 shots per game. </p>



<p>Sampaoli has also made his team very slow and patient. Sevilla played the fourth-most passes in its own defensive third, had the seventh-most touches in LaLiga. </p>



<p>Sevilla’s slow, careful approach has made it into one of the worst offenses in the league, although it may be expected when you have out-of-form players like Isco, Erik Lamela, Rafa Mir, and Oliver Torres leading the attack.</p>



<h5>What Sevilla needs</h5>



<p>Sevilla can hit the ground running with a slate of winnable winter games to get out of the relegation zone. They first play Celta Vigo, 17th. </p>



<p>Then, Sevilla takes on Getafe, Girona, Cadiz and Elche. Those teams are all No. 13 in the current table or worse. In fact, Cadiz and Elche are the only two teams beneath Sevilla in the table.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>The club are keeping me informed as to what is going to happen and I hope it’s as soon as possible. We need a left back, a left centre back, a midfielder and a forward who can give us strength. I’m not getting distracted by things I can’t resolve myself.</p><cite>Jorge Sampaoli, from <a href="https://sevillafc.es/en/actual/news/press-conference-sampaoli-juventud-2223">Sevilla FC</a></cite></blockquote>



<p>Sampaoli has already gotten to business. Sevilla have reportedly signed Rennes center-back and France U21 international Loïc Badé to provide cover in the defense, and with lots of salary room to work around with, Sevilla could definitely sniff around the Premier League and Ligue 1 in search for more promising players.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sevilla are closing in on Loïc Badé deal after talks with Rennes. Loan with buy option clause set to be agreed, deal approved also on player side – waiting on final details. 🔴🤝  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sevilla?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sevilla</a><br><br>Badé&apos;s loan to Nottingham Forest will be cancelled in order to join Sevilla. <a href="https://t.co/DOIUPYoxPq">pic.twitter.com/DOIUPYoxPq</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1605470878300454912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Sevilla can respond from this rapid downfall. Sampaoli and <em>Los Nervionenses</em> will try to make a big comeback to avoid total embarrassment and a potential financial collapse.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Sevilla spirals into disappointing downfall

After a rough start to the Champions League and La Liga, Sevilla is faced with lots of questions to answer

Sevilla spirals into disappointing downfall - World Soccer Talk

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