Julien Lopetegui leaves Wolves after transfer disputes

Julien Lopetegui has left Wolves following differences in transfer opinions. Gary O'Neil is in talks to replace the Spaniard. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has left the club after less than a year in charge following differences of opinion, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday, three days before the start of the new season. 

Neither the Spanish manager nor the club gave reasons as to why they’re parting ways with the new season just around the corner, but transfer dealings this summer played a huge part in the differences. 

The club has lost key players such as former captain Ruben Neves to Al-Hilal; Nathan Collins, who had a great season last term, left for Brentford; former captain Conor Coady was sold to Leicester; Raul Jimenez to Fulham; and youngster Ryan Giles to newly promoted Luton. 

Lopetegui was named as head coach on a three-year deal in November when the West Midlands club was facing relegation, and he oversaw a turnaround to pull them up to 13th, sealing their top-flight status for another season.

Lopetegui had replaced caretaker manager Steve Davis, who was put in charge of the team following Bruno Lage's dismissal in October. The club’s inactivity in terms of signings frustrated the former Sevilla man.

"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," Wolves said in a statement.

"I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and I thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club," Lopetegui said in a statement.

Gary O'Neil, who helped Bournemouth secure their top-flight survival last season, steering them to a 15th-place finish in the league after taking over from Scott Parker, is reportedly set to replace Lopetegui at Molineux.

The new Premier League season begins on Friday, and Wolves go to Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United for their first game on Monday.