Ex-Wolves target Julen Lopetegui lands Real Madrid job
Spain boss Julen Lopetegui – who was close to being appointed as Wolves head coach two years ago – will take charge of Real Madrid after the World Cup.
Lopetegui was Fosun's number one choice to be their new boss when buying the club for £30million in July 2016.
He was to replace Kenny Jackett and worked 'hand in hand' with Wolves before turning them down at the last minute when Spain offered the former Under-21 boss the full national team job.
The 51-year-old has now landed the biggest job in world club football, replacing Zinedine Zidane who resigned two weeks ago after leading Real to three successive Champions League titles.
After Lopetegui's u-turn Wolves turned to Walter Zenga but just three months later the Italian was sacked.
Lopetegui said 18 months ago about the Wolves job: "When the federation called, naturally my objective became the national team, but it's true that before that (Wolves and I) had been working hand in hand for some time.
"It was very close but in the end it wasn't to be. I enjoyed the time I spent with them; there were offers from the Premier League but their project was especially attractive.
"Wolves is a great club, where there would be significant investment and a desire to grow, to shine again."
