Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui celebrates after beating Aston Villa in the Premier League match at Molineux on May 6, 2023. Getty
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui celebrates after beating Aston Villa in the Premier League match at Molineux on May 6, 2023. Getty
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui celebrates after beating Aston Villa in the Premier League match at Molineux on May 6, 2023. Getty
Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui celebrates after beating Aston Villa in the Premier League match at Molineux on May 6, 2023. Getty

Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui calls for 'long meeting' with chairman over summer plans


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Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has called for a 'long meeting' with the club's owners about how they are going to take the club forward this summer.

The former Real Madrid and Sevilla coach took charge in November, following the sacking of Bruno Lage more than a month earlier after the Portuguese has overseen a run of one win in 15 Premier League matches, going back to the previous campaign.

When Lopetegui took charge of his first league game against Everton on December 26, after club football took a break for the Qatar World Cup, Wolves were in the bottom three and looking serious relegation contenders.

But after beating Aston Villa 1-0 last weekend, the Midlands club had risen to 13th and their top-flight status was secured for next season with three games to play.

Wolves have scored the fewest goals in the division this season after an injury crisis in attack has left them without strikers Sasa Kalajdzic and Raul Jimenez, with emergency signing Diego Costa scoring only once in 21 league appearances.

And Lopetegui is looking for assurances that the club will be making positive steps forward during the summer.

“We have to be together in the same way, we want to improve. In football you have to want to increase your performance and squad. This is about investment too,” said former Spanish national team coach Lopetegui, 56, ahead of Saturday's trip to Manchester United.

“I am going to have a long meeting with our chairman to hear him and hear what his ideas are for next year. This is going to be key for me.

“That's why I have to hear him and know first hand what his ideas are. After I will have more information to take a decision.

Wolves 1 Chelsea 0: Player ratings

  • WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa - 6. A surprisingly quiet day for Sa in Wolves’ goal. The Portuguese international was only forced into making one save all game. AFP
    WOLVES RATINGS: Jose Sa - 6. A surprisingly quiet day for Sa in Wolves’ goal. The Portuguese international was only forced into making one save all game. AFP
  • Nelson Semedo - 8. The Portugal international kept Felix and Cucurella relatively quiet on the right-hand side. He did well to frustrate Mudryk in the second half. PA
    Nelson Semedo - 8. The Portugal international kept Felix and Cucurella relatively quiet on the right-hand side. He did well to frustrate Mudryk in the second half. PA
  • Toti Gomes - 7. Had Wolves’ first attempt on target via a header that was straight at Kepa. Had a tough game against the very attacking James, but he kept on going until the end. Getty
    Toti Gomes - 7. Had Wolves’ first attempt on target via a header that was straight at Kepa. Had a tough game against the very attacking James, but he kept on going until the end. Getty
  • Craig Dawson - 8. Headed high and wide when Podence’s freekick found him on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area in the 50th minute. Made a sliding challenge to deny Havertz shortly after, and several blocks in the closing stages to keep Wolves in the lead. AFP
    Craig Dawson - 8. Headed high and wide when Podence’s freekick found him on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area in the 50th minute. Made a sliding challenge to deny Havertz shortly after, and several blocks in the closing stages to keep Wolves in the lead. AFP
  • Max Kilman - 8. Kilman was quintessential in the centre of defence next to Dawson. The centre-back came up with several blocks and clearances. Getty
    Max Kilman - 8. Kilman was quintessential in the centre of defence next to Dawson. The centre-back came up with several blocks and clearances. Getty
  • Joao Gomes - 8. Showed good feet to skip past a couple of challenges but was denied the opportunity to take aim at Kepa by Fofana. Bravely put his body on the line to block a Joao Felix shot in the 56th minute. PA
    Joao Gomes - 8. Showed good feet to skip past a couple of challenges but was denied the opportunity to take aim at Kepa by Fofana. Bravely put his body on the line to block a Joao Felix shot in the 56th minute. PA
  • Mario Lemina - 7. Almost opened the scoring with a side-footed shot that was deflected wide by Fofana in the 26th minute. Sat back and provided excellent cover for his defence. AFP
    Mario Lemina - 7. Almost opened the scoring with a side-footed shot that was deflected wide by Fofana in the 26th minute. Sat back and provided excellent cover for his defence. AFP
  • Matheus Nunes - 9. Gave Wolves the lead with a brilliant volley that left Kepa with no chance of making a save. Made several forward runs in the second half to support the attack and disrupt the Blues defence. PA
    Matheus Nunes - 9. Gave Wolves the lead with a brilliant volley that left Kepa with no chance of making a save. Made several forward runs in the second half to support the attack and disrupt the Blues defence. PA
  • Daniel Podence - 7. His cross into the box led to Nunes’ opener. He caused problems for James and Fofana with his quick feet. PA
    Daniel Podence - 7. His cross into the box led to Nunes’ opener. He caused problems for James and Fofana with his quick feet. PA
  • Matheus Cunha - 7. Strangely elected to shoot from inside his own half when Wolves had a chance to counter attack in the 54th minute. Failed to make Kepa work when he got past Koulibaly in the second half. Getty
    Matheus Cunha - 7. Strangely elected to shoot from inside his own half when Wolves had a chance to counter attack in the 54th minute. Failed to make Kepa work when he got past Koulibaly in the second half. Getty
  • Diego Costa - 6. Denied by Kepa when he had the chance to double Wolves’ lead in the 36th minute. His several overhit passes when his teammates were in good positions were a huge letdown. Getty
    Diego Costa - 6. Denied by Kepa when he had the chance to double Wolves’ lead in the 36th minute. His several overhit passes when his teammates were in good positions were a huge letdown. Getty
  • SUBS: Hwang Hee-Chan (Costa, 63') - 6. Unlucky to have been penalised for a foul when he fairly won a 50/50 challenge against Koulibaly and looked set to play Sarabia through on goal. Getty
    SUBS: Hwang Hee-Chan (Costa, 63') - 6. Unlucky to have been penalised for a foul when he fairly won a 50/50 challenge against Koulibaly and looked set to play Sarabia through on goal. Getty
  • Joao Moutinho (Podence, 64) - 6. Combined well with Hee-chan after coming on and tried to make things happen in attack. PA
    Joao Moutinho (Podence, 64) - 6. Combined well with Hee-chan after coming on and tried to make things happen in attack. PA
  • Adama Traore (Lemina, 73) - 5. Failed to do much in attack after coming on but tucked in at right back to help out the defence in the closing stages. Reuters
    Adama Traore (Lemina, 73) - 5. Failed to do much in attack after coming on but tucked in at right back to help out the defence in the closing stages. Reuters
  • Pablo Sarabia (Cunha, 74) - 5. Stopped abruptly by the offside flag when Hee-chan played him through on goal. Didn’t have much of a sniff after that opportunity. Reuters
    Pablo Sarabia (Cunha, 74) - 5. Stopped abruptly by the offside flag when Hee-chan played him through on goal. Didn’t have much of a sniff after that opportunity. Reuters
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7. Stopped Diego Costa from doubling Wolves’ lead with a brave save in the 36th minute. Made two saves in the second half to keep the Blues in the game. Reuters
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7. Stopped Diego Costa from doubling Wolves’ lead with a brave save in the 36th minute. Made two saves in the second half to keep the Blues in the game. Reuters
  • Reece James - 7. Fizzed a brilliant cross past the front post in the second minute. Looked like the Blues’ most likely source of creating something as he never stopped trying to make things happen in the final third. Getty
    Reece James - 7. Fizzed a brilliant cross past the front post in the second minute. Looked like the Blues’ most likely source of creating something as he never stopped trying to make things happen in the final third. Getty
  • Marc Cucurella - 5. Could have closed down Nunes more quickly and denied him space to hit his volley. His attacking contribution was disappointing. Getty
    Marc Cucurella - 5. Could have closed down Nunes more quickly and denied him space to hit his volley. His attacking contribution was disappointing. Getty
  • Wesley Fofana - 6. Made a superb last-man tackle to stop Gomes in the 23rd minute. Lost possession of the ball for Costa to have a go at Kepa in the first half. PA
    Wesley Fofana - 6. Made a superb last-man tackle to stop Gomes in the 23rd minute. Lost possession of the ball for Costa to have a go at Kepa in the first half. PA
  • Kalidou Koulibaly - 5. His half-hearted clearance led to Nunes’ opener. Allowed Cunha to skip past him too easily in the 64th minute. AP
    Kalidou Koulibaly - 5. His half-hearted clearance led to Nunes’ opener. Allowed Cunha to skip past him too easily in the 64th minute. AP
  • Enzo Fernandez - 6. A quiet day in the centre of the field for Fernandez. His ability to pick a pass was evident as he repeatedly picked out the fullbacks with diagonal passes. PA
    Enzo Fernandez - 6. A quiet day in the centre of the field for Fernandez. His ability to pick a pass was evident as he repeatedly picked out the fullbacks with diagonal passes. PA
  • Conor Gallagher - 6. Saw his shot get blocked in the 19th minute. Had another shot blocked from the edge of the box in the 65th minute. Was everywhere for the Blues. Getty Images
    Conor Gallagher - 6. Saw his shot get blocked in the 19th minute. Had another shot blocked from the edge of the box in the 65th minute. Was everywhere for the Blues. Getty Images
  • Mateo Kovacic - 6. Worked hard in the middle of the pitch next to Enzo. Got more involved in the attack in the second half but he lacked the quality to break down Wolves‘ well-drilled defence. Getty
    Mateo Kovacic - 6. Worked hard in the middle of the pitch next to Enzo. Got more involved in the attack in the second half but he lacked the quality to break down Wolves‘ well-drilled defence. Getty
  • Kai Havertz - 5. Denied a simple tap-in by a last-ditch challenge from Dawson just after the restart. Looked toothless as Chelsea’s most advanced player. AP
    Kai Havertz - 5. Denied a simple tap-in by a last-ditch challenge from Dawson just after the restart. Looked toothless as Chelsea’s most advanced player. AP
  • Raheem Sterling - 5. Playing on the right side of attack, Sterling struggled as he couldn't cut in on his right foot as he usually would on the left flank. Getty
    Raheem Sterling - 5. Playing on the right side of attack, Sterling struggled as he couldn't cut in on his right foot as he usually would on the left flank. Getty
  • Joao Felix - 5. Had the Blues’ first real shot on target in the 42nd minute but it was an easy catch for Sa. Presented with a number of half-chances in the second half but he never looked like scoring. Getty
    Joao Felix - 5. Had the Blues’ first real shot on target in the 42nd minute but it was an easy catch for Sa. Presented with a number of half-chances in the second half but he never looked like scoring. Getty
  • SUBS: Christian Pulisic (Havertz, 60) - 5. Was a willing runner after coming on but he never looked like the man to breach Wolves disciplined backline. Still looks short of confidence.AFP
    SUBS: Christian Pulisic (Havertz, 60) - 5. Was a willing runner after coming on but he never looked like the man to breach Wolves disciplined backline. Still looks short of confidence.AFP
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Felix, 68) - 6. Went close with a header a few minutes after coming on. Denied by a Dawson block from point-blank range in the 85th minute. AFP
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Felix, 68) - 6. Went close with a header a few minutes after coming on. Denied by a Dawson block from point-blank range in the 85th minute. AFP
  • Mykhailo Mudryk (Sterling, 68) - 5. Another game to forget for Chelsea’s new Ukrainian. The winger failed to make any attacking contribution of note after coming on and resorted to making unnecessary tackles. AP
    Mykhailo Mudryk (Sterling, 68) - 5. Another game to forget for Chelsea’s new Ukrainian. The winger failed to make any attacking contribution of note after coming on and resorted to making unnecessary tackles. AP
  • Ben Chilwell (Cucurella, 68) - 6. Attacked well after coming on but hit a shot into the stands when he was set up by Aubameyang in the 91st minute. PA
    Ben Chilwell (Cucurella, 68) - 6. Attacked well after coming on but hit a shot into the stands when he was set up by Aubameyang in the 91st minute. PA

“We have to improve and have to take advantage of the summer. If not we know the level of the Premier League; the first step is to hear him.

“Afterwards we will take our decision about a lot of players. In the right moment I'm going to talk, first with the club and afterwards with the players about what is going to be our idea.

“We have to be ready. This year has been a very hard year for all, maybe it can serve as a lesson for all of us.”

Four wins in the past six games have confirmed Wolves' Premier League status for a sixth consecutive season, allowing the club to plan without the anxiety of still being involved in a relegation battle.

“It's better to have this situation of course,” added Lopetegui. “We didn't want to wait until the last match without knowing our future.

“We're going to try to take advantage of this situation.”

Updated: May 11, 2023, 2:50 PM