Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly rival Manchester United to hire Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui.
According to Fichajes.net, Tottenham have identified Julen Lopetegui as a potential managerial option if they end up parting ways with Antonio Conte in the summer. The Spanish tactician has also been linked with the Manchester United managerial post and could be the subject of a tug-of-war between the two English sides.
Having started his managerial career with Rayo Vallecano in 2002, Lopetegui joined Real Madrid as their head of scouting in 2006. Two years later, he was promoted to the Castilla manager for a year before spells with Spain’s Under-19 to Under-21 teams followed. Porto then hired him as a manager in 2014 but after a trophyless year-and-a-half, Lopetegui was on the move again, this time to the Spanish national team.
The 55-year-old led Spain to the 2018 World Cup, but Real Madrid announced him as their next manager just three days before the tournament. Lopetegui was relieved of his Spain duties immediately. His Real Madrid stint didn’t go to plan and he was sacked just two months after taking up the post, with a 5-1 demolition at the hands of Barcelona forcing the board’s hands to change managers.
Ahead of the 2019/20 season, Sevilla appointed Lopetegui as their manager and the Spanish tactician has been with them since. He led them to a fourth-place finish in La Liga and the Europa League title in his first season with them. Another fourth-placed league finish followed the next season. This season, though, they have exceeded expectations.
Sevilla are currently second in the La Liga table, ahead of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Lopetegui had signed a two-year extension with the club in January 2021, extending his stay until 2024. But with all the success with Sevilla under his belt, he is now a wanted man.
Spurs haven’t had the greatest of seasons, and are currently fifth in the league. They were also knocked out of the UEFA Europa Conference League and are out of contention in the FA Cup as well. There is still a big question mark over whether Antonio Conte would continue as the team’s manager past this season.
Spurs have thus identified Lopetegui as a potential managerial appointment. They also believe the Spanish tactician is the right man to lead a rebuild at the club.
On the other hand, Manchester United are still searching for a permanent manager who will take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Lopetegui is just one of the names on their shortlist with Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique being monitored as well. It remains to be seen if either Tottenham or Manchester United decide to approach Lopetegui or look elsewhere.
