FOOTBALL fans are baffled after learning Julen Lopetegui reportedly turned down Bayern Munich because he wants to join West Ham.
The ex-Real Madrid and Wolves boss, 57, has agreed terms to join the Hammers in the summer when David Moyes’ contract expires.
He was understood to be in the frame for the Bayern Munich job as they search for a successor to Thomas Tuchel – who will depart at the end of the campaign.
According to The Athletic, the Bundesliga giants enquired about Lopetegui on Monday.
However, he is said to want to join West Ham over the Champions League semi-finalists.
And a lot of people on social media cannot believe he is rejecting Bayern for the East London club.
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One fan said: “I never thought I’d hear someone preferring West Ham over Bayern.”
Another added: “Have I read this correctly?”
A third replied: “Turning down Bayern for West Ham isn’t something I thought I’d ever read.”
A fourth responded: “Everyone running away from Bayern Munich job, what is happening over there.”
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Who is Julen Lopetegui?
Julen Lopetegui enjoyed a 17-year career as a goalkeeper for the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He won the LaLiga title with Real Madrid in 1990 and two Spanish Super Cups with Barcelona, before stepping into management in 2003.
He began coaching as an assistant for Spain’s U17s side, before stints with Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid’s B team.
Lopetegui then returned to the Spain set-up to manage their various age group teams, leaving in 2014 for the Porto job.
He landed Spain’s top job in 2016 and spent two years at the helm of the national team, but was dismissed before the 2018 World Cup after it was announced he would become Real Madrid boss after the tournament.
The Spaniard was sacked after just two months at the Bernabeu following a dismal spell.
He joined Sevilla in 2019 and won the Europa League with them the following year.
Lopetegui departed Sevilla in 2022 and joined Wolves in the November, guiding them to a 13th place finish.
He left in August of last year, shortly before the start of the season, before Gary O’Neil replaced him.
And a fifth said: “He chose West Ham over Bayern Munich? 😭😭😭. I’m am laughing wayyyy too much. Bayern are an embarrassment.”
Bayern have already had failed conversations with a number of managers including Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is now the favourite for the vacancy, despite him insisting last week that he wants to stay with the South Coast side.
He said: “We’re going to speak with Tony [Bloom, Brighton owner].
“I think I would like to stay in Brighton because I love my players. I love this city. I love my club, my fans.
“I said in the meeting with the fans, if I’m happy, there isn’t any club can bring myself to change a team but I want to keep my passion always.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
