Wolves hope it’s third time lucky as they launch ANOTHER bid for ex-Real Madrid and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui
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WOLVES will launch a new move for Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui and hope to make it third time lucky.
Wanderers want to persuade him to join them after he declined the chance to take over when Bruno Lage was axed this month.
Lopetegui, 56, was first choice after leaving Sevilla and has been a long-term target despite snubbing Wolves a few years ago when they first looked at him.
Now the Prem strugglers plan to make a serious play and may do it quickly, despite indicating interim boss Steve Davis will stay put this year.
Lopetegui has a big CV after spells in charge of Spain and Real Madrid, so it would be a coup to land him — and certainly if they manage it in the near future.
Wolves had turned to their former boss Nuno Espirito Santo and QPR’s Michael Beale as they searched for the right man.
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But insiders have now revealed they are back to where they started and homing in on the Spaniard.
Lopetegui would find it hard to refuse Premier League wages and the only stumbling block could be if he has to take a pay cut if struggling Wolves are relegated.
News of the plans from Molineux will also interest Leeds, who are big fans of Lopetegui and are struggling to make an impact this season under embattled boss Jesse Marsch.
It comes as Wolves failed to land the win needed to move out of the drop zone as they drew 1-1 at Brentford.
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Star midfielder Ruben Neves cancelled out Ben Mee's spectacular opener for the Bees.
But Wolves' September signing Diego Costa then saw red for headbutting Mee.
Davis said: "He's apologised. When emotions are high it is difficult to discuss things, but we'll have a conversation with him next week.
"It will open up doors for other players or maybe we will play in a different way."