JULEN LOPETEGUI is reportedly closing in on a return to management.
The Spanish manager has been out of work since being sacked by West Ham four months ago.
GettyJulien Lopetegui is set to return to the dugout[/caption]
GettyHe could be announced as the Qatar head coach this week[/caption]
Lopetegui, 58, replaced David Moyes in East London but struggled for consistent performances despite a huge summer spend.
The Hammers suffered multiple heavy defeats during his tenure against the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.
It was not his first role in England, having taken charge of Wolves between November 2022 and August 2023.
He is now set for a return to management with the head coach role at Qatar.
Reports have claimed that he will sign a deal with the national team that will run until 2027.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that his arrival will be announced later this week.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Lopetegui had plenty of offers, including from Mexico.
It is believed that the manager sees the Qatar job as a “major step forward” in his career.
He would be replacing former Spain striker Luis Garcia as the man in the dugout.
Qatar are currently 4th in Group A of the World Cup qualifying rounds in Asia.
PALopetegui won the Europa League with Sevilla[/caption]
The team has only managed three wins, one draw and four defeats, which has ruled out an automatic qualification spot.
Lopetegui started his managerial career at Rayo Vallecano before working at Real Madrid B and the Spanish youth sides.
In 2014, he took charge of Porto before being named the Spain national coach in 2016.
He was then named the manager of Real Madrid in 2018 but only lasted 120 days before being axed.
Lopetegui rebuilt his reputation at Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in 2020.
Meanwhile, West Ham have continued to endure a torrid season since his exit.
Graham Potter was named as Lopetegui’s successor, and while he has improved the defence, the team has still struggled to win games.
The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has won just three of his 15 games in charge of the club.
He did earn a notable victory over Arsenal, but the team has dropped multiple points in recent weeks.
In the club’s last four games, nine points have been dropped due to conceding goals in the 79th minute or later.
In their latest effort, Potter watched on as West Ham lost against the Seagulls despite being 2-1 up in the 89th minute.
The manager was fuming after the game, as his post-match press conference rant showed.
GettyGraham Potter replaced Lopetegui at West Ham[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
