Profile: Julen Lopetegui
The full lowdown on West Ham’s new manager
Age: 57
Nationality: Spanish
Lopetegui: "I am in a big club, a London club with big potential. Look at the pitch, the stadium, the fans we have. The Premier League is the best in the world. It is the competition we want to compete in. We love to be here."
BBC Sport
"You ask me what my idea is about football and always my answer is the same – I want it all as a coach”.
whufc.com
Lopetegui's Playing Days
Lopetegui's playing career spanned over a decade and a half, during which he represented some of Spain's most illustrious clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
At the Real Madrid, he struggled to dislodge the experienced Francisco Buyo as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. His solitary La Liga appearance for Los Blancos came in a 3-3 draw against Atlético Madrid, a match in which Real had already secured the league title.
Lopetegui embarked on a series of loan spells and permanent moves. His most notable stint came at the modest Riojan club Logroñés, where he played an instrumental role in helping the team retain its top-flight status throughout the early 1990s.
Lopetegui's performances at Logroñés earned him a cap for the Spanish national team in 1994. He was also a part of the squad that represented Spain at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, although he did not feature in any matches.
In addition to his international exploits with Spain, Lopetegui also donned the colours of the Basque Country, making three appearances for their national team.
Real Madrid (1988–1991)
Games: 1 La Liga appearance during the 1988–1989 season
Las Palmas (loan, 1988–1989)
Games: 31 appearances in La Liga
Logroñés (1991–1994)
Games: 107 appearances in La Liga
Barcelona (1994–1997)
Games: 5 appearances in La Liga
Rayo Vallecano (1997–2002)
Games: 112 appearances in La Liga
Honours as a Player
Represented Spain in the 1994 World Cup.
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Transition to coaching
In 2003 Lopetegui joined the coaching staff of the Spanish national team as an assistant for the Under-17 squad. This experience paved the way for his subsequent appointments with Spain's Under-19 and Under-21 sides.
Lopetegui lead the Under-19 squad to the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the Under-21 team to the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. These triumphs not only showcased his ability to nurture and develop young talent but also solidified his reputation as a manager capable of delivering silverware.
Porto
After his successful stint with Spain's youth teams, Lopetegui made the transition to club management in 2014, at Portuguese giants Porto. Despite a promising start, which saw his team reach the quarter-finals of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League, his tenure was cut short midway through the following season due to a string of disappointing results.
However, in 2016, he was appointed as the head coach of the Spanish national team.
Spanish national team
Lopetegui's tenure as the Spanish national team manager was marked by both triumphs and controversies. Under his guidance, the team embarked on an impressive 20-match unbeaten run, securing qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with relative ease.
However, just days before the tournament's commencement, Lopetegui found himself embroiled in a controversy. News of his impending move to Real Madrid after the World Cup surfaced, leading to his dismissal from the national team job and replacement by Fernando Hierro.
Real Madrid and Sevilla
Lopetegui moved to Real Madrid. However, his tenure at the Bernabéu was short-lived, as a string of disappointing results, culminating in a 5-1 defeat against Barcelona, led to his dismissal after just 14 games.
Lopetegui's redemption came in the form of a move to Sevilla in 2019. Here, he orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding the club to a fourth-place finish in La Liga and, more importantly, clinching the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League title. This triumph marked Sevilla's sixth Europa League crown and cemented Lopetegui's status as a manager capable of delivering success.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
In November 2022, Lopetegui took charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers. In his first match, he guided Wolves to a crucial 2-1 victory over Everton, setting the tone for the team's remarkable turnaround. By the end of the 2022/23 season, Wolves had secured an impressive 13th-place finish, a testament to Lopetegui's ability to galvanize his players and instil a winning mentality.
However, differences of opinion regarding the club's financial situation and transfer strategy ultimately led to his departure in August 2023.
West Ham United
On May 23, 2024, West Ham United announced the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach. Lopetegui has inherited a West Ham team that finished the 2023/24 season in a ninth position.
In preparation for his new role, Lopetegui sought insights from Pablo Fornals, a former West Ham player who had recently joined Real Betis. Fornals, having spent four and a half years at the London Stadium, provided perspectives on the club's culture, players, and inner workings.
With West Ham United's aspirations to compete on multiple fronts, Lopetegui will need to strike a delicate balance between prioritizing domestic success and navigating the rigors of European competitions. His experience in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League will undoubtedly prove invaluable in this regard.
Lopetegui's Managerial Philosophy
One of Lopetegui's defining traits as a manager is his ability to adapt his tactical approach to suit the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. While he has favored a possession-based style of play, he has also demonstrated a willingness to adopt more pragmatic strategies when necessary, prioritising results over dogmatic adherence to a specific system.
Lopetegui's success with Spain's youth teams and his ability to revive the fortunes of struggling clubs like Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers highlight his prowess in man-management and player development. He has a knack for fostering a positive team environment, nurturing talent, and extracting the best from his players, both on and off the pitch.
Despite the setbacks and challenges he has faced throughout his career, Lopetegui has consistently exhibited an unwavering hunger for success and a relentless pursuit of silverware. His ability to lead Sevilla to the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League title and guide Wolves to a remarkable survival in the Premier League are testament to his winning mentality and determination to overcome adversity.
As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Spaniard, as he seeks to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, continuing his quest for sustained success and cementing his legacy as one of the most intriguing and accomplished figures in the modern game.
Managerial Career:
Rayo Vallecano (2003–2004)
Games: 1 match
Porto (2014–2016)
Games: 78 matches
Spain (2016–2018)
Games: 20 matches
Honours: UEFA European Under-19 Championship (2012), UEFA European Under-21 Championship (2013)
Real Madrid (2018)
Games: 14 matches
Sevilla (2019–2022)
Games: 170 matches
Honours: UEFA Europa League (2020)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2022–2023)
Games: 27 matches
West Ham United (2024–)