Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui departs, former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil to replace

Posted : 09 August 2023

Julen Lopetegui, the manager of Wolves, has departed the club, and the former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil is poised to take his place.

Lopetegui, 56, had expressed his desire to leave the club for some time, and the decision was reached amicably between both parties. The club cited differences of opinion on certain matters and stated that an agreeable conclusion to Lopetegui's contract was the best course of action.

Wolves made this announcement just three days prior to the commencement of the Premier League season, where they are scheduled to face Manchester United on Monday.

The separation was the result of ongoing discussions that were held respectfully and cordially over recent weeks. This allowed the club the necessary time to identify a successor and allowed Lopetegui and his staff to ensure the squad's readiness for the upcoming season.

According to sources, the decision to part ways was solidified following a friendly match with Celtic last month, although Lopetegui agreed to remain until a replacement was found.

Numerous candidates were considered for Lopetegui's role, and the 40-year-old Gary O'Neil impressed the club's management. His appointment as the new manager is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday.

O'Neil guided Bournemouth to Premier League safety last season with a 15th-place finish. However, he was dismissed in June and succeeded by Andoni Iraola, who led Spanish team Rayo Vallecano to an 11th-place finish in La Liga last season.

Lopetegui, a former Spain national team coach, took the reins in November when Wolves were at the bottom of the Premier League table. He managed to steer them to a 13th-place finish. Nonetheless, rumors about his departure had circulated due to the club's financial situation.

In a letter to fans, chairman Jeff Shi emphasized that Wolves' Chinese owners, Fosun, were not considering selling the club. He emphasized the need for financial prudence due to the Premier League's financial fair play rules.

While the specific details of the facility cost weren't disclosed, it's described as a 'multi-million dollar' endeavor. The new headquarters will house Evolve PCs, Women’s Car Ball, and several media entities under G1's umbrella.

The decision to invest in this facility comes in the wake of reports from Esports Insider in August 2023, suggesting that G1 had encountered issues regarding payments to staff working on its Women’s Car Ball league and prize money distribution to league teams. Subsequently, G1 has taken steps to address these concerns and settle outstanding payments.

Beyond its primary functions, the new facility will house a spacious office area, a player lounge, a speakeasy, a stage, a podcast studio, team offices, and co-working spaces. The comprehensive design aims to cater to diverse needs while fostering collaboration and innovation.

Anticipated for completion by Q3 2024, the facility is already underway in its construction phase. Kenny Vaccaro's Vaccaro Enterprises highlighted that the constituent companies will continue operating within the headquarters, further serving as a versatile event space for a range of activations and experiences.

Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui departs, former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil to replace

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