Julen Lopetegui Argote is a Spanish professional football manager and former footballer, born on 28 August 1966. His career spans from being a goalkeeper to managing several top-tier clubs and the Spanish national team, achieving significant milestones and successes along the way.
Main Milestones
Birth
28 August 1966
Julen Lopetegui Argote was born on this day, marking the beginning of a life that would be deeply intertwined with football.
Early Playing Career
1980s
Lopetegui started his professional football career as a goalkeeper, playing for clubs such as Real Sociedad, Castilla, Las Palmas, and Real Madrid. He later moved to Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano, where he retired in 2002.
World Cup Participation
1994
Lopetegui was part of the Spanish squad that participated in the 1994 World Cup in the USA, a significant international experience in his playing career.
Managerial Debut
2003
Lopetegui began his managerial career with Rayo Vallecano in the second division but was sacked after just 11 games. This marked the start of his journey as a football manager.
Spanish Youth Teams
2010-2014
Lopetegui managed Spain's under-19 and under-21 teams, leading them to European titles in 2012 and 2013, respectively. This period established him as a successful youth team manager.
Porto
2014-2016
Lopetegui took charge of Porto, leading them to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and losing only three league matches in 18 months. This stint showcased his ability to manage at the top level.
Spanish National Team
2016-2018
Lopetegui became the manager of the Spanish national team, qualifying for the 2018 World Cup with an unbeaten record in the group stage. However, he was dismissed before the tournament due to his agreement to join Real Madrid.
Real Madrid
2018
Lopetegui took over as the head coach of Real Madrid but was fired after a series of poor results, including a 5-1 loss to Barcelona in El Clásico.
Sevilla
2019-2022
Lopetegui managed Sevilla, leading them to the 2020 UEFA Europa League title, his first club honor. He was dismissed in 2022 after a poor start to the season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2022-2023
Lopetegui became the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading them to 13th place in the Premier League. He left the club in August 2023 due to financial constraints and disagreements with the management.
West Ham United
2023-Present
Lopetegui is currently the manager of West Ham United, continuing his career as one of the most respected coaches in world football.
