Former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has left Wolverhampton Wanderers six days before their Premier League opener against Manchester United.

The 56-year-old has been left frustrated by the board’s decision not to back him in the summer window with the club’s only major signing being the return of wing-back Matt Doherty from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer.

Julen Lopetegui departs Molineux

The news was confirmed late last night via the club’s official website and sees the experienced coach depart Molineux after just nine months. After taking over with the club rock bottom of the league, Lopetegui helped guide the West Midlanders to Premier League safety comfortably with a very respectable 13th-place finish last term.

The club and Julen Lopetegui have reached an agreement to part ways, ending his nine month stay as head coach.

— Wolves (@Wolves) August 8, 2023

In an official statement to the club, Lopetegui said, “I wish Wolves and everybody at the club the very best of luck for the future, and thank them for the opportunity granted at the time to take charge of this wonderful club.”

Lopetegui’s entire backroom staff, including assistant Pablo Sanz and son Daniel Lopetegui, will also now leave the club. According to Sky Sports, the overwhelming favorite to fill the vacancy at Molineux is former Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil who was harshly sacked by the Cherries in June after a fantastic debut season as a head coach.