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Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui
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Julen Lopetegui Argote (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈʝulen lopeˈteɣjaˈɣote]; born 28 August 1966) is a Spanish professional football manager and former footballer. He is the current manager of the Qatar national team.

Key Information

A goalkeeper, he played 149 La Liga matches over nine seasons, representing Real Madrid, Logroñés, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in the competition. He added 168 appearances in the Segunda División for three clubs, winning one cap for Spain and being a member of the squad at the 1994 World Cup.

Lopetegui started working as a manager in 2003, and spent several years in charge of Spain's youth teams, leading the under-19 and under-21 sides to European titles. He was also head coach of the senior national team for two years, but was dismissed before the start of the 2018 World Cup following the announcement of his agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament. In club football, he managed Rayo Vallecano, Castilla, Porto, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, winning the 2020 Europa League with Sevilla.

Club career

[edit]

Born in Asteasu, Gipuzkoa, Lopetegui started his professional career at local Real Sociedad.[3] In 1985, he accepted an offer from Real Madrid, where the 19-year-old played in the B team.[3]

After a loan spell at Las Palmas, Lopetegui returned, but could never dislodge another veteran, Francisco Buyo,[3] only managing one La Liga appearance over two seasons,[4] a 3–3 away draw against Atlético Madrid as Real were already crowned league champions.[5] He subsequently signed with Logroñés, being instrumental as the modest Riojan club consistently managed to retain its top-flight status.[6][7][8]

When Andoni Zubizarreta left for Valencia in 1994, Lopetegui joined Barcelona,[9] battling – and losing – for first-choice status with longtime understudy Carles Busquets.[10] After the Catalans bought Porto's Vítor Baía, he was further demoted to third string, and returned to Madrid with Segunda División club Rayo Vallecano in 1997.[3]

Lopetegui was a starter in his first two seasons at Rayo, culminating with their play-off final win over Extremadura in June 1999.[11] After returning to the top tier he lost his place to American international Kasey Keller and then Imanol Etxeberria; he played 36 top-flight games from 1999 to 2002. He was nonetheless favoured for the team's run to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2000–01, where they were eliminated by compatriots Alavés.[12] He retired at the age of 36.[3]

International career

[edit]

Lopetegui's performances at Logroñés earned him his sole cap with Spain, coming on as a substitute for Zubizarreta for the final 30 minutes of a 2–0 friendly loss to Croatia in Valencia, on 23 March 1994.[13] He was subsequently picked for the squad at that year's FIFA World Cup.[3]

Managerial career

[edit]

Beginnings

[edit]

Lopetegui was one of Spain coach Juan Santisteban's assistants at the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[14] After the tournament, he had his first head coaching spell at Rayo, with the club in the second division, but was sacked after the tenth match of the 2003–04 campaign,[15] which ended in relegation to Segunda División B. After working as a sports commentator, including for LaSexta in the 2006 FIFA World Cup,[16] he returned to coaching, with Real Madrid Castilla, who he played for in the 1980s, now in the third tier.[17]

From 2010 to 2014, Lopetegui worked with the Spanish youth teams, winning the 2012 European Under-19 Championship[18] and the 2013 Under-21 Championship.[19] He left the Royal Spanish Football Federation on 30 April 2014, following the expiration of his contract.[20]

Porto

[edit]
Lopetegui during a match with Porto in September 2014

Lopetegui returned to club duties on 6 May 2014, being appointed at Portugal's Porto.[21] He signed seven Spanish players to the club that summer.[22]

In his first season at the Estádio do Dragão, with the club's biggest budget ever,[23] Lopetegui led them to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they equalled the club's biggest defeat in European competitions losing 6–1 against Bayern Munich (having lost by the same score to AEK Athens in 1978).[24] He failed to win any silverware, contributing to the longest drought during Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa's presidency.[25]

On 8 January 2016, after a 1–3 home loss to Marítimo in the Taça da Liga,[26] as Porto had already been eliminated from the Champions League and was ranked third in the domestic league after an away loss and a home draw, Lopetegui was relieved of his duties and replaced by Rui Barros.[27] A week later, the club announced that it had terminated the former's contract unilaterally.[28]

Spain

[edit]

On 21 July 2016, after being strongly linked to English side Wolverhampton Wanderers which was under new ownership,[29] Lopetegui was announced as the new manager of the Spain national team following Vicente del Bosque's retirement.[30][31] In his first match in charge, on 1 September, he led them to a 2–0 friendly victory over Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium;[32] the nation qualified for the 2018 World Cup, winning nine and drawing one of their group matches.[33]

On 12 June 2018, with the team already in Russia for the tournament, it was announced that Lopetegui would take over as the head coach of Real Madrid on a three-year contract after the conclusion of Spain's involvement at the World Cup.[34] The following day, he was dismissed from his job with the national team and replaced by Fernando Hierro.[35][36]

Real Madrid

[edit]

Lopetegui's first competitive game in charge took place on 15 August 2018, in a 4–2 loss to rivals Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup after extra time.[37] He thus became the second Real manager to start his tenure by conceding four goals, after Englishman Michael Keeping who began in 1948 being downed 4–1 by Celta.[38]

Following a string of bad results and, ultimately, a 5–1 away defeat to Barcelona in El Clásico on 28 October 2018, Lopetegui was fired a day later,[39] being replaced by Santiago Solari.[40]

Sevilla

[edit]

On 5 June 2019, Lopetegui was appointed as the new Sevilla manager on a three-year contract.[41][42] In his first year, they finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League,[43] and on 21 August they defeated Inter Milan 3–2 in the 2020 UEFA Europa League final, his first club honour.[44]

Lopetegui agreed to a further two-year extension on 10 January 2021.[45] On 5 October 2022, however, following five losses in eight matches in the new season – the last being 4–1 at home against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League – he was dismissed.[46][47]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

[edit]

After leaving Sevilla, Lopetegui was interviewed by Wolverhampton, who had recently dismissed Bruno Lage, but he initially turned down the offer due to his 92-year-old father's ill health.[48] He was approached again and, on 5 November 2022, announced he would become the club's new head coach effective 14 November.[49] On his competitive debut on 20 December, his team defeated EFL League Two side Gillingham 2–0 at home in the fourth round of the EFL Cup;[50] this put them into the last eight for the first time since 1995–96.[51] Six days later, on his Premier League bow, they won 2–1 at Everton with a last-minute Rayan Aït-Nouri goal, and the manager thereby became the first at the club to win his opening match in the top flight since John Barnwell in 1978.[52]

Lopetegui eventually led Wolves to 13th place.[53] In May 2023, he addressed speculation that he would leave due to the West Midlands club's financial situation;[54] he had stressed the need for new players to the management, but had only learned of the severity of the economic constraints at the end of the campaign.[55] Due to this and other reported disagreements, he left by mutual consent on 8 August.[56][57]

West Ham United

[edit]

On 23 May 2024, Lopetegui remained in the English top division as the new head coach of West Ham United, taking the place of the recently departed David Moyes; he signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.[58][59] On his debut on 17 August, he oversaw a 2–1 home loss against Aston Villa, as the Hammers broke a league record by being defeated 16 times on opening days.[60] He achieved his first win one week later, 2–0 at Crystal Palace.[61]

In January 2025, West Ham were reported to be considering sacking Lopetegui following a 5–0 home defeat against Liverpool and a 4–1 loss to Manchester City. They had also been reported to have been considering his dismissal the previous month, before he achieved a 2–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and went on a four-match unbeaten run, their best of the season.[62] He was relieved of his duties on 8 January with the team in 14th position, seven points above the relegation positions; during his tenure, they lost nine of 20 Premier League games,[63] and he broke Lou Macari's record of the fewest matches managed by a permanent manager of the club by taking charge of 18 less than Macari's 40.[64]

Qatar

[edit]

On 1 May 2025, Lopetegui was announced as the new manager of the Qatar national team until the 2027 AFC Asian Cup;[65] he became the third Spaniard ever in less than two years to be appointed at the job.[66] On 14 October, his side qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2–1, marking a first-ever presence in the tournament through that stage and their second overall.[67]

Style of management

[edit]

Sporting director Monchi, who worked with Lopetegui at Sevilla, described him as having three virtues that are fundamental for any coach: great professional qualities, competitiveness and group management. He also highlighted Lopetegui's fit to work in big clubs saying that 'Julen perfectly understands what a big club needs, he has his requests, but it’s normal, and he always works in sync with the club. He is demanding but only for the good of those who appointed him and never out of selfishness.'[68]

Personal life

[edit]

Lopetegui's father, José Antonio, was a weightlifter. During Francisco Franco's dictatorial regime, he acted as mayor of Asteasu.[69]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 14 October 2025
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Rayo Vallecano 1 July 2003 3 November 2003 11 2 2 7 10 17 −7 018.18 [70]
Real Madrid B 1 July 2008 30 June 2009 38 18 9 11 60 45 +15 047.37 [70]
Spain U19-U20-U21 1 August 2010 30 April 2014 45 38 3 4 131 48 +83 084.44 [70]
Porto 1 July 2014 7 January 2016 78 53 16 9 159 54 +105 067.95 [71]
Spain 21 July 2016 13 June 2018 20 14 6 0 61 13 +48 070.00 [70]
Real Madrid 1 July 2018 29 October 2018 14 6 2 6 21 20 +1 042.86 [70]
Sevilla 5 June 2019 5 October 2022 170 90 44 36 247 163 +84 052.94 [72]
Wolverhampton Wanderers 14 November 2022 8 August 2023 27 10 6 11 28 38 −10 037.04 [71]
West Ham United 1 July 2024 8 January 2025 22 7 5 10 26 44 −18 031.82 [71]
Qatar 1 May 2025 Present 7 2 2 3 6 11 −5 028.57 [71]
Career total 432 239 96 97 745 450 +295 055.32

Honours

[edit]

Player

[edit]

Real Madrid

Barcelona

Spain U20

Manager

[edit]

Sevilla

Spain U19

Spain U21

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Julen Lopetegui

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Julen Lopetegui is a Spanish professional and former , currently serving as the of the national team since May 2025. Renowned for his tactical discipline and success in both youth international and club management, he has guided teams to major European honors, including the with Sevilla in 2020 and European Under-19 and Under-21 Championships with in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Lopetegui began his playing career as a youth product at Real Madrid, where he made one senior appearance and contributed to the 1990 title win. He later played for , securing two titles, as well as —helping them maintain top-flight status—and , where he featured in their 2001 UEFA Cup quarter-final run, earning two caps for the national team during his career. Transitioning to coaching, Lopetegui's early roles included a brief interim stint at Rayo Vallecano in 2003 and leading Real Madrid's Castilla reserve team from 2008 to 2009. His breakthrough came with Spain's youth setups, where he masterminded victories in the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the 2013 Under-21 equivalent, nurturing talents who would later star for the senior side. Appointed Spain senior coach in 2016, he oversaw an unbeaten qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with nine wins and one draw, but was controversially dismissed two days before the tournament after agreeing to join Real Madrid. Lopetegui's club managerial record highlights his ability to implement structured, possession-oriented football with strong defensive foundations. At from 2014 to 2016, he lost only three league games and reached the quarter-finals, debuting young prospect as the competition's youngest-ever Portuguese captain. His 2018 tenure at Real Madrid lasted 4.5 months, marked by early Champions League progress before a poor league form led to his sacking. From 2019 to 2022 at Sevilla, he achieved the club's record sixth Europa League title in 2020, two consecutive fourth-place finishes, and a Champions League knockout stage appearance in 2020–21. He joined Wanderers in November 2022, steering them to a 13th-place finish in 2022–23 amid a relegation battle, before departing by mutual consent in 2023. In July 2024, Lopetegui was appointed West Ham United manager on a two-year deal, but after winning just six of 22 matches and overseeing a dismal run—including three straight home defeats—he was sacked in January 2025 and replaced by . Four months later, he returned to international management with , signing a two-year contract through the and guiding them to qualification for the on 14 October 2025. Lopetegui's approach emphasizes player development, team cohesion, and high pressing, earning praise for transforming underperforming squads despite occasional short tenures.

Playing career

Club career

Julen Lopetegui began his professional playing career with in 1983 at the age of 16, where he played until 1985. In 1985, Lopetegui joined Real Madrid's reserve side, Castilla, competing in the for three seasons until 1988. During this period, he gained experience in Spain's second tier, making regular appearances. In 1988, he was loaned to in the , where he started 31 matches for the club. Lopetegui returned to Real Madrid's first team in 1989, serving as a backup . He made his La Liga debut in April 1990 against and contributed to the squad that won the 1989–90 title, as well as the 1990–91 . His time at the club was limited to a handful of appearances, primarily in cup competitions. In 1991, Lopetegui transferred to , where he established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in , starting over 100 matches across three seasons from 1991 to 1994. This stint marked his most consistent period in the top flight, though the team faced relegation challenges. Lopetegui moved to in 1994, again as a backup option behind and later others. He featured in five matches and played in legs in 1994 and 1996, while contributing to the team's successes, including the 1996–97 , the 1994 and 1996 , and the 1996–97 Cup Winners' Cup. His role remained peripheral during his three-year stay until 1997. Lopetegui concluded his career with from 1997 to 2002, where he became a key figure. He started 39 matches in the 1998–99 season, helping secure promotion to . Over five seasons, he made 88 appearances and 23 in the second tier, bringing his career totals to 149 matches and 61 in the second tier before retiring at age 35 in July 2002. This phase represented the bulk of his professional output, with Lopetegui noted for his reliability in the Madrid-based club.

International career

Lopetegui earned his sole senior international cap for on 2 March 1994, substituting for in the final 30 minutes of a friendly match against in , which lost 0–2. Despite limited appearances at the senior level, Lopetegui was selected for 's squad at the in the United States, where he served as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Zubizarreta and but did not feature in any matches as reached the quarter-finals.

Managerial career

Youth and early roles

Julen Lopetegui began his coaching career shortly after retiring as a player in 2002 at the age of 36. His first involvement came in 2003 as an assistant coach to Juan Santisteban for the Spain under-17 team at the , where the side topped their group but lost 2-1 to in the final. That same year, Lopetegui took his initial head coaching role with in the Spanish , but the stint proved brief; he was dismissed after just 10 matches amid a poor run of results, with the team struggling near the relegation zone. Following this setback, he transitioned into media work as a for several years, gaining insights into the game before returning to coaching. In 2008, Lopetegui re-entered management by taking charge of , the club's reserve team competing in Spain's third tier (). During the 2008-09 season, he guided the side to a solid sixth-place finish in Group 2, developing young talents while emphasizing tactical discipline and possession-based play. From 2010 onward, Lopetegui immersed himself in Spain's youth international setup, serving as for the under-19, under-20, and under-21 teams until 2014. With the under-19s in , he led an unbeaten campaign to victory at the in , defeating 1-0 in the final after scoring 11 goals across the tournament. The following year, with the under-21s, he secured the in , winning all five matches, including a 4-2 final triumph over , while conceding just two goals en route. Additionally, in 2011, his under-20 team reached the quarter-finals of the in , exiting on penalties to eventual champions after a competitive run. These successes highlighted Lopetegui's ability to nurture emerging talents, many of whom transitioned to the senior national team, and established his reputation for implementing structured, attacking football in youth development.

Porto

Julen Lopetegui was appointed as the manager of FC Porto on 1 July 2014, becoming the club's first foreign head coach since 2006. His arrival coincided with the highest budget in the club's history, allowing for key signings such as goalkeeper Iker Casillas and defender Bruno Martins Indi. In his debut 2014–15 season, Lopetegui implemented a dynamic, possession-based style that transformed Porto's play, emphasizing quick transitions and high pressing. The team finished second in the Primeira Liga with 85 points from 34 matches, two points behind champions Benfica, marking their best league position since 2012–13. In the Taça de Portugal, Porto reached the final but lost 2–0 to Sporting CP. Their standout campaign came in the UEFA Champions League, where they topped a group featuring Athletic Bilbao, Shakhtar Donetsk, and BATE Borisov with five wins and one draw. In the round of 16, they overcame Basel with a 1–0 first-leg loss followed by a commanding 4–0 home victory in the second leg, advancing 4–1 on aggregate. The quarter-finals saw a memorable 3–1 home win over Bayern Munich, powered by two goals from Ricardo Quaresma, before a 6–1 defeat in the return leg in Germany, ending their European run 7–4 on aggregate. The 2015–16 season began promisingly, with Porto unbeaten in their first 15 league matches and leading the . In the Champions League group stage, they secured notable victories, including a 2–1 away win against Chelsea and a 2–2 home draw with the same opponents, topping the group with four wins and two draws ahead of knockout play. However, a poor run of form in December and January—including a 2–1 league defeat to Sporting CP on 6 January—saw them slip to third place, four points off the leaders despite only one league loss all season. Lopetegui was sacked on 7 January 2016, after 18 months in charge, with the club citing the need for a change amid mounting pressure despite his strong overall record. Across 78 matches in all competitions, he achieved 53 wins, 16 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 159 goals while conceding 54, for an average of 2.24 points per match.
SeasonCompetitionMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGoals For:AgainstPosition/Outcome
2014–1534257288:342nd
2014–15650112:3Runners-up
2014–151282228:12Quarter-finals
2015–1616114131:73rd (at dismissal)
2015–1621103:2Semi-finals
2015–16642012:5Group winners (at dismissal)
Note: Table aggregates Lopetegui's direct involvement; 2015–16 league position reflects full season under successors.

Spain national team

Julen Lopetegui was appointed as of the national team on 21 July 2016, succeeding following Spain's round-of-16 exit at Euro 2016. His two-year contract aimed to blend experienced players with emerging talents from the successful youth setups he had previously led, including the under-19 and under-21 teams that won European titles in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Lopetegui's tenure emphasized a possession-oriented style, building on 's traditional philosophy while incorporating fluid attacking patterns and high pressing. He debuted with a 2-0 friendly win over in September 2016, dropping veteran goalkeeper in favor of younger options like and . Over his 20 matches in charge, remained unbeaten with 14 wins and 6 draws, scoring 61 goals while maintaining a strong defensive record. This included a dominant qualifying campaign, where topped Group G with 9 wins and 1 draw from 10 matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding just 3. Key fixtures highlighted Lopetegui's tactical acumen, such as a 3-0 away victory over in September 2017, showcasing midfield control through players like and , and a 5-0 thrashing of in qualifying. Friendlies against powerhouses like (2-0 win in March 2017) and (6-1 win in March 2018) demonstrated 's attacking potency, with 25 goals netted in 10 non-competitive games. Lopetegui integrated youth prospects like and , fostering a squad depth that positioned as pre-tournament favorites for the 2018 World Cup. His dismissal on 13 June 2018, just two days before Spain's opener against , stemmed from the Royal Spanish Football Federation's reaction to Real Madrid's announcement that Lopetegui would join them post-tournament. The move violated federation protocols on transparency, leading to immediate termination despite the unbeaten run and a recently extended contract until 2020. replaced him as interim coach, but the upheaval contributed to Spain's last-16 exit on penalties to . Lopetegui later described the sacking as a "very sad" moment, emphasizing his commitment to the national team.

Real Madrid

Lopetegui's appointment as Real Madrid manager was announced on 12 June 2018, while he was still in charge of the national team, on a three-year contract to succeed following the club's third consecutive title. This decision led to his immediate sacking by the Spanish Football Federation on 13 June 2018, just two days before the start of the , due to the lack of prior notification. Lopetegui officially began his tenure on 1 July 2018, inheriting a squad in transition after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus, which prompted a shift toward a more possession-oriented style rather than the counter-attacking approach that had defined Zidane's successful era. His time at Real Madrid was marked by tactical experimentation aimed at regaining control of games through high possession. Lopetegui favored a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing vertical passing, fluid midfield rotations, and full-backs advancing to support attacks, drawing from his experience with Spain's youth teams and . However, the team struggled to adapt, starting with a 2-4 loss to in the on 15 August 2018, followed by inconsistent results, including a 4-1 win over Roma in the Champions League but domestic draws and defeats that left Real Madrid in 6th place after 10 league games with 14 points from 4 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses. Key issues included defensive vulnerabilities, with the team conceding 15 goals in those 10 matches, and difficulties integrating new signings like and amid injuries to players such as . The tenure ended abruptly on 29 October 2018, after just 14 competitive matches—6 wins, 2 draws, and 6 defeats—following a humiliating 1-5 defeat to in on 28 October, which highlighted tactical mismatches and a lack of cohesion. Lopetegui's 139-day stint was the shortest for a Real Madrid manager in the , overshadowed by the high expectations post-Zidane and the pressure of replacing a treble-winning coach without a proper pre-season transition. was appointed interim manager immediately after, with Lopetegui receiving a reported severance of around €2 million. Despite the brevity, some players like later reflected positively on Lopetegui's ideas, suggesting the sacking stemmed from a poor run of form rather than fundamental flaws.

Sevilla

Lopetegui was appointed as Sevilla's on 4 June 2019, signing a three-year contract following his dismissal from Real Madrid. He took charge ahead of the 2019–20 season, tasked with revitalizing the squad after Machín's departure. In his debut campaign, Lopetegui guided Sevilla to a fourth-place finish in , securing Champions League qualification with 62 points from 38 matches. The highlight came in the , where Sevilla triumphed 3–2 over in the final on 21 August 2020, marking the club's sixth title in the competition and Lopetegui's first major trophy as a senior manager. Key contributions included a solid defensive structure and effective counter-attacks, with goals from (two) and a decisive late strike by Diego Carlos. Lopetegui maintained consistency in subsequent seasons, achieving fourth-place finishes in both 2020–21 (77 points) and 2021–22 (64 points), each time qualifying for the Champions League. Over his tenure, he managed 170 matches, recording an average of 1.85 points per game in . His teams were noted for balanced play, averaging around 53 goals scored per season while conceding fewer than 40. However, the 2022–23 season saw a sharp decline, with Sevilla earning just 5 points from their first 7 matches and suffering heavy European defeats, including a 4–1 loss to Manchester City and a 1–0 defeat to on 5 October 2022. Lopetegui was sacked later that day, with the club 17th in the league and facing relegation pressure amid injuries and squad disruptions. Despite the ending, his period brought stability and European glory to the club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Julen Lopetegui was appointed as head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers on 5 November 2022, signing a contract until the summer of 2026, and officially began his role on 14 November following the award of his . He replaced , who had been sacked after a poor start to the 2022-23 season, with Wolves languishing at the bottom of the table having earned just 10 points from their first 14 matches. Lopetegui, who had previously managed Sevilla, brought a seven-strong backroom staff with him to Molineux, including assistant coach Jesús Pérez and goalkeeping coach Javier García San Miguel. Lopetegui's first match in charge was a 0-0 draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion on 12 November 2022, just before the break. Upon resumption, he oversaw a remarkable turnaround, winning nine of his 23 games in charge—equating to a 39% win rate—and accumulating 31 points to guide Wolves to a 13th-place finish, securing safety from relegation with games to spare. This improvement was particularly evident at home, where Wolves remained unbeaten in their last 10 league matches at Molineux under Lopetegui, including notable victories over (1-0), Hotspur (2-1), Chelsea (2-1), and (1-0). Away form proved more challenging, with only two wins—against Everton (1-0) and (1-0)—though both came via late goals, highlighting Lopetegui's emphasis on defensive solidity and counter-attacking play. In the , Wolves advanced to the third round under his guidance but were eliminated by . During the January 2023 transfer window, Lopetegui influenced significant incoming deals totaling around £80 million, including Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Atlético Madrid for £44 million and midfielder Boubacar Traoré from Metz for £3.5 million, which helped bolster the squad amid financial constraints. These additions contributed to the team's stabilization, with Cunha scoring six league goals in his debut season. However, the summer of 2023 brought tensions over squad rebuilding, as key departures—including captain Rúben Neves to Al-Hilal for £47 million and Raúl Jiménez to Fulham for £2.25 million—left limited funds for replacements despite Lopetegui's requests for reinforcements like midfielder Alex Scott and defender Nico Elvedi. Lopetegui's tenure ended on 8 August 2023, when he and Wolves mutually agreed to part ways just six days before the start of the 2023-24 Premier League season, citing irreconcilable differences over the club's financial strategy and transfer policy. In a club statement, sporting director Matt Hobbs praised Lopetegui for lifting the team from the relegation zone and thanked him for ensuring a sixth consecutive Premier League campaign, while Lopetegui expressed gratitude to the players, staff, and fans for their support during a challenging period. Reflecting later, Lopetegui described the previous season's survival as his greatest managerial achievement to date.

West Ham United

Lopetegui was appointed as West Ham United's head coach on 23 May 2024, succeeding who had left the club after securing a ninth-place finish in the season. He signed a two-year with an option for a third year and officially began his role on 1 July 2024, ahead of pre-season preparations that included a in the United States. His tenure began with high expectations, bolstered by significant transfer spending exceeding £120 million on players such as Max Kilman, , and , aimed at elevating 's European ambitions. However, early results were mixed; started the 2024–25 campaign with a 2–1 home win over Aston Villa but suffered a 3–1 loss to Manchester City shortly after. By November 2024, the team had climbed to mid-table with notable victories, including a 2–0 away win at Newcastle United, where Lopetegui praised the squad's resilience and collective effort. Despite these highlights, Lopetegui's time at was marked by defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent attacking output, with the team conceding 39 goals in 20 matches under his management. won just six league games, drawing five and losing nine, leaving them in 14th position and seven points above the relegation zone by early January 2025. A 4–1 defeat to Manchester City on 4 January proved pivotal, extending their winless run to four matches and intensifying scrutiny on Lopetegui's tactics, which emphasized possession but struggled to convert opportunities effectively. On 8 January 2025, dismissed Lopetegui after 22 games in all competitions—seven wins, five draws, and ten losses—citing results that fell short of the club's expectations despite the substantial investment in the squad. The club stated that the first half of the 2024–25 season had not aligned with their ambitions, prompting an immediate search for a replacement, with emerging as a leading candidate.

Qatar national team

On 1 May 2025, Julen Lopetegui was appointed as the of the national team by the (QFA), signing a contract until the . This marked his return to international management following his sacking from United earlier in the year and came at a critical juncture for , who had finished fourth in Group A of the AFC third round of qualifiers with 13 points from 10 matches (four wins, one draw, five losses), securing a spot in the fourth round playoffs. Lopetegui's immediate task was to guide the team through the remaining third-round fixtures in June before the pivotal fourth round in October. Lopetegui's debut came on 5 June 2025, in a crucial third-round qualifier against at , where secured a 1–0 victory thanks to a first-half goal from Pedro Correia, keeping their qualification hopes alive. Five days later, on 10 June 2025, suffered a 3–0 defeat to in , with goals from Azizbek Turgunboev, , and Igor Sergeev, confirming their progression to the fourth round despite the loss. In preparation for the playoffs, played a single friendly in , losing 4–1 to on 7 2025 at home, exposing defensive vulnerabilities against a strong European side. The fourth round pitted Qatar in Group A alongside Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the group winner qualifying directly for the and the runner-up advancing to the fifth round inter-confederation playoffs. On 8 October 2025, Qatar opened the campaign with a goalless draw away to Oman, demonstrating defensive solidity but struggling to convert chances. Lopetegui's side then clinched qualification on 14 October 2025 with a 2–1 home win over the UAE at , where second-half headers from and Pedro Miguel turned the game after an early UAE opener, securing first place in the group with four points from two matches. This achievement marked Qatar's second consecutive World Cup appearance—the first since their 2022 hosting—and their first earned through standard qualifying, a historic milestone for the Asian champions. Lopetegui described the qualification as "truly special" and a "unique" reward after past near-misses, emphasizing the team's belief in their "big dream" and crediting their resilience in topping the group. Under his leadership, Qatar transitioned to a more compact defensive setup while leveraging set-piece threats, amassing one win, one draw, and one loss across competitive fixtures, with an overall record of two wins, one draw, and two losses including the friendly. In November 2025, Lopetegui called up a squad including new talents for a and a friendly match against scheduled for 17 November at .

Managerial overview

Style of management

Julen Lopetegui's managerial style is characterized by a possession-oriented approach that emphasizes control, technical proficiency, and adaptability to context. He prioritizes building play from the back to dictate the tempo of games, often employing a fluid 4-3-3 formation that allows for structured progression and exploitation of spaces. This philosophy stems from his background in Spanish football, where he focuses on creating numerical overloads through patient ball circulation and short passes, rather than relying on direct or counter-attacking play exclusively. Lopetegui has stated that tactical choices, including when to counterattack, depend entirely on the situational demands of the match. In possession, Lopetegui's teams aim to maintain dominance by using a deep defensive line to draw out the opposition press, enabling to receive the ball in advanced areas. A key feature is the positioning of the defensive midfielder between the center-backs during build-up, which facilitates switches of play and wide overloads involving full-backs and wingers. Full-backs are encouraged to overlap and provide width, while creative players like or false nines drop into half-spaces to create triangles and disrupt defensive structures. At Sevilla in 2019–20, this approach led to high crossing volumes (23.2 per 90 minutes in , the league's highest), contributing to their Europa League triumph through fluid rotations and set-piece efficiency. Out of possession, Lopetegui implements a high-intensity pressing system, typically in a compact 4-4-2 or man-oriented marking setup, to regain the ball quickly in advanced zones. His sides employ a structured counter-press initiated by forwards, supported by midfielders who restrict central passing lanes and force opponents wide or into long balls. This defensive discipline has resulted in robust backlines across his tenures; for instance, Sevilla conceded just 0.92 against per 90 minutes in the 2020–21 La Liga season, the best in the competition. Lopetegui's methodical preparation and focus on functional team units over individual flair foster resilience, particularly in reactive scenarios away from home, as seen in his and roles where he balanced possession with pragmatic adjustments. Lopetegui's management extends to player development through strong interpersonal relationships and a reserved yet serious demeanor, enabling him to build cohesive squads from diverse talents. At Real Madrid in 2018, he integrated young players into a possession-based 4-3-3, though short tenure limited full implementation. His adaptability was evident at Wanderers in 2022–23, where a pragmatic 4-4-2 helped secure survival, and at West Ham United from 2024, where he sought to instill higher possession (averaging 47%) and defensive solidity despite early challenges. Overall, Lopetegui's style prioritizes efficiency and organization, yielding success in European competitions while adapting to league-specific demands.

Managerial statistics

As of 16 November 2025, Julen Lopetegui has managed 452 matches in his career across clubs and national teams, recording 252 wins, 102 draws, and 98 losses, for an overall win percentage of 56%. His record reflects strong performances in domestic leagues, particularly with and Sevilla, contrasted by more challenging spells at Wanderers and United. The statistics below focus on his senior-level appointments, excluding youth international roles, and aggregate to 387 matches, 201 wins, 93 draws, and 93 losses (52% win rate).
TeamTenureMatchesWinsDrawsLossesWin %Goals ForGoals Against
Jul 2003 – Nov 20031122718Not avail.Not avail.
Jul 2008 – Jun 2009381891147Not avail.Not avail.
Jul 2014 – Jan 2016785316968Not avail.Not avail.
Spain (national)Jul 2016 – Jun 201820146070Not avail.Not avail.
Real MadridJul 2018 – Oct 20181462643Not avail.Not avail.
SevillaJul 2019 – Oct 202217089453652Not avail.Not avail.
Wolverhampton WanderersNov 2022 – Aug 2023271061137Not avail.Not avail.
West Ham UnitedJul 2024 – Jan 202522751032Not avail.Not avail.
(national)May 2025 – present722329611
Lopetegui's most successful stint came at , where he secured the title in 2014–15 with a 69% win rate across 52 matches, followed by a Europa League victory the next season. At Sevilla, he won the Europa League in 2020 and achieved consistent top-six finishes in , compiling 89 wins in 170 games. His undefeated record with (14 wins, 6 draws in 20 matches) highlights his effectiveness in international management. Recent roles at and show lower win percentages amid transitional periods, with Qatar's early matches yielding just two victories in seven but securing qualification for the .

Honours

As player

Julen Lopetegui, primarily a during his career, won several domestic and European honours across his stints with Real Madrid and .

Club honours

International honours

  • FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 1985 (Spain U20)
Lopetegui earned one senior cap for in a 1994 friendly against and was part of the squad for the , though he did not feature in the tournament.

As manager

References

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