Julen Lopetegui is reportedly in full negotiations with the Belgian Football Union. The former Spain coach, who also coached Real Madrid and Sevilla FC, is in discussions to replace Domenico Tedesco.
After Roberto Martinez, it is another Spaniard who could finally sit on the bench of the Red Devils. According to Laatste Nieuws and La Derniere Heure, the Belgian Union has started concrete negotiations with Julen Lopetegui. The 58-year-old coach has a lot of experience, having worked as a coach for Spain (2016-2018, with 16 wins and 4 draws in total). He also worked at Real Madrid, Seville, Porto and in England, in different clubs.
His track record notably includes a Europa League, won with Sevilla in 2020. He also won two European Championships with the young people of Spain, in 2012 and 2013 with the U19s then the U21s. He has just left West Ham United and is therefore free of any contract. His profile would have convinced the federation, looking for someone who already knows the heights of European football.
Note that in 2018, he was fired just before the World Cup, due to the announcement of his arrival at Real Madrid at the end of the tournament. The affair caused a lot of noise, especially since Lopetegui only ended up staying at the Bernabeu for a few months.
The Belgian Union reportedly has a list of five candidates to become coach of the Red Devils, who will discuss with Vincent Mannaert, the technical director, in the coming days. Thierry Henry, Rudi Garcia and Mark Van Bommel would be among them.
Diables Rouges Julen Lopetegui
