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Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has left the club, with ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O\u2019Neil set to replace him.<\/p>\n
The club have known for some time that Lopetegui, 56, wanted to leave.<\/p>\n
Wolves said both parties had \u201caccepted their differences of opinion on certain issues and agreed that an amicable end to his contract was the best solution\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Wolves announced the Spaniard\u2019s departure three days before the Premier League season begins \u2013 they face Manchester United on Monday.<\/p>\n
The club said talks had been \u201congoing in recent weeks, held with the utmost respect and cordiality\u201d to give the club time to work on finding a successor and allow Lopetegui and his staff to get the squad in good shape for the new season.<\/p>\n
BBC Sport\u2019s Simon Stone understands the agreement to part ways was sealed after the friendly with Celtic last month, but that Lopetegui agreed to continue to allow time to find a replacement.<\/p>\n
Several candidates were considered as Lopetegui\u2019s replacement but 40-year-old O\u2019Neil impressed the hierarchy and is expected to be confirmed as the new manager on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Neil guided Bournemouth to Premier League safety last season with a 15th-place finish but was sacked in June and replaced by Andoni Iraola, who led Spanish side Rayo Vallecano to 11th in La Liga last season.<\/p>\n
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said Lopetegui was not allowed to sign any players this summer, after believing the squad would be strengthened.<\/p>\n
Former Spain boss Lopetegui took over in November when Wolves were bottom of the Premier League table before guiding them to 13th place, but the club\u2019s financial situation\u00a0led to speculation\u00a0earlier this summer that he could leave.<\/p>\n
In an open letter to fans, chairman Jeff Shi said the club\u2019s Chinese owners, Fosun, have no intention of selling the club but stressed that Wolves must be cautious with their summer spending in order to meet the Premier League\u2019s financial fair play rules.<\/p>\n
According to FFP rules, the club must make a profit on player trading this summer to avoid exceeding the accumulated \u00a3105m loss over a three-year period, the maximum permitted.<\/p>\n
They sold captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for a club record \u00a347m in June and also allowed Mexican striker Raul Jimenez join Fulham for \u00a35m last month, with the only notable incoming signing being Republic of Ireland full-back Matt Doherty\u2019s return as a free agent in July.<\/p>\n
Sporting director Matt Hobbs thanked \u201cJulen and his staff for their dedication\u201d, adding: \u201cWhile our ambition had been to move into the new season together, it is public knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key topics, and it was agreed by all parties that it would be best to part ways ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lopetegui\u2019s six-man backroom team has also left the club.<\/p>\n
The Spanish manager said: \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He thanked the players, board and staff and said: \u201cIt has been an honour to enjoy this adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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