Wolverhampton Wanderers have parted company with head coach Julen Lopetegui after a "difference of opinion".
A Wolves statement reads: "The head coach and club acknowledged and accepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution for all parties.
"Talks have been ongoing in recent weeks, held with the utmost respect and cordiality, affording the club time and space to begin work on finding a successor, while also ensuring that Julen and his backroom staff could continue their planned preparation to ensure the playing squad would be in the best possible condition for the start of the Premier League season."
See: Wolves' statement in full
Lopetegui joined Wolves in November of last year, when they were bottom of the Premier League, and guided the club to safety, finishing 13th, seven points above the relegation zone.
'It's been an honour'
"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 said.
“It has been an honour to enjoy this adventure in the day-to-day company of Matt Hobbs, Matt Wild, head of player care Lisa Hollis and every single employee of the club; whom I wish to thank for their support and help at every moment.
“Also, of course, I want to thank the players, who have always given the maximum to achieve our objectives, and especially the fans that made me feel like one of them from the very first moment and have always been amazing to me, my staff and my family.”
Financial Fair Play
The departure comes a week after Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote to fans to explain that the club were facing a challenge in management of Financial Fair Play (FFP) and that he was keen to reduce the number of signings the club made this summer.
This summer from their first team of recent seasons, Wolves have released Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa, and sold defenders Conor Coady, Nathan Collins, midfielder Ruben Neves, and forward Raul Jimenez.
They have brought in only three players: experienced goalkeeper Tom King, veteran defender Matt Doherty, and young winger Leo Lopes.
See: All Wolves' summer transfers
"FFP is one of the more short-term and benign challenges we have faced," Shi wrote. "The club has gone through much more difficult tests in the past and will do so again in the future."
Shi added: "This summer, I hope, is a window where we may need less new signings, since many players in the current squad have developed well enough to take more important roles in the team."
As well as Lopetegui, his backroom team of Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado, Oscar Caro, Edu Rubio, Borja De Alba Alonso and Daniel Lopetegui have also departed.
TV Info
Sporting director Matt Hobbs says: “After a successful pre-season, full of hard work and good performances, Julen and his staff leave the squad in great shape ahead of the season opener next week, which will give his successor the best possible platform for success."
Wolves begin their 2023/24 Premier League campaign at Manchester United in the last fixture of Matchweek 1, on Monday 14 August.
They finished their pre-season fixtures on Saturday with a record of five wins, two draws and zero losses.
