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Julen Lopetegui has parted ways with Wolves three days before the new Premier League season.
The former Real Madrid and Spain manager joined the club last November and led them to a 13th place finish – but has left on amicable terms following concerns over the financial situation at the club.
The 56-year-old won 10 of his 27 games in charge in total, with sporting director Matt Hobbs recently insisting that he remained committed after chairman Jeff Shi sent an open message to fans saying that they needed to be cautious with spending.
Former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil has been linked to the vacant role, with Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore among the players to have arrived this summer.
The manager also took the unusual step of offering his own thoughts on the exit in the club statement in which he thanked his players and the fans.
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Lopetegui said in a statement: "I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.
"It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.
"Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family."
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The club thanked Lopetegui for his efforts, with Hobbs even pointing towards the difference of opinions that have played a part in the exit.
He went on to say that the squad is in great shape, despite not having a manager and little time to prepare under the new boss.
Hobbs said: "On behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Julen and his staff for their dedication and hard work during their time at the football club.
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"They were brought in with the primary aim of keeping the club in the Premier League last season, an objective which they achieved with games to spare.
"While our ambition had been to move into the new season together, it is public knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key topics, and it was agreed by all parties that it would be best to part ways ahead of the new campaign.
"After a successful pre-season, full of hard work and good performances, Julen and his staff leave the squad in great shape ahead of the season opener next week, which will give his successor the best possible platform for success."
- Wolves FC
- Premier League
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