Julen Lopetegui could replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace as pressure mounts on the 76-year-old.
That is according to The Athletic.
So, what is the situation involving Julen Lopetegui and Crystal Palace? Let’s take a look…
Crystal Palace could appoint Julen Lopetegui
Well, much of the attention has been on Steve Cooper this week – the Daily Mail believe the Welshman is an option to replace Hodgson as he faces the sack at Nottingham Forest.
Now – however – a new name has entered the conversation in Lopetegui.
The Spaniard – who left Wolves just three days before the start of the 2023/24 campaign due to disagreements with the board – is seeking a return to the Premier League, and has attended several games at Selhurst Park this season, according to The Athletic.
Lopetegui – who has won 232 games in his career as a manager – boasts a very strong CV, having managed Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla before moving to England in November 2022.
The Athletic add that Nottingham Forest could also move for the Asteasu-born tactician in the event of Cooper receiving his P45 at the City Ground.
Julen Lopetegui is a risk for Crystal Palace
In our view, hiring the 57-year-old would be a risk for Steve Parish.
There is no doubt that Lopetegui is a fantastic coach – or else Wolves would not have chased him for years before eventually getting their man.
However – according to Sky Sports – the Spaniard left Molineux as he felt compelled to protect his own reputation amid a difficult financial situation at Wolves.
Parish himself has seen several managers walk away – such as Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce – and with Crystal Palace’s ownership situation far from being straightforward, Lopetegui may not see any difference between the Eagles and Wolves.
Nevertheless, be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as anything could happen.
