Sevilla FC president Jose Castro has revealed that Julen Lopetegui has rejected an offer from Tottenham Hotspur to be their new manager. The London-based team have been on the hunt for a manager for quite a long time.
“Julen rang me and told me. He said he’d received offers he’d not listened to in addition to a dizzying one from Tottenham. But he said he doesn’t forget things and that he is very motivated here.
We believed and believe in him, giving him a two-year contract extension, and I’m sure he will bring much more to the club. You see his ability and leadership every day”.
Castro said Cadena SER in an interview.
Spurs ended their five-year-long journey with Mauricio Pochettino by signing Jose Mourinho as the manager. Known for winning trophies everywhere he goes, Spurs were optimistic about the Portuguese manager continuing his traditions.
However, after a topsy-turvy year and a half, the Portuguese was relieved from his April duties. Since then, there has been an extraordinarily long list of managers linked to the Tottenham job, but none has eventually materialized.
Erik ten Hag, Brendan Rodgers and Hansi Flick were among the first names to be thrown into the mix. However, while ten Hag and Rodgers decided to commit their future to their respective clubs, Flick was hired by the German national team to take charge once Joachim Low steps down from the role after UEFA European Championship 2020.
Antonio Conte was the next to be included in the list, but the Italian reportedly had many differences with what Spurs were offering. Paulo Fonseca, the manager whom Mourinho replaced at AS Roma, looked certain to become Tottenham’s next manager, but that deal didn’t materialize because of reported ‘fiscal issues.’
Spurs are in touch with multiple managers, and one significant name from that list is Ernesto Valverde, journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed. The Spanish manager last worked with FC Barcelona, for whom he won two La Liga titles and also one each of Supercopa de Espana and Copa del Rey.
