Julen Lopetegui is a Spanish football coach and former player. He was born on August 28, 1966, in Asteasu, Spain.
Lopetegui had a successful career as a goalkeeper, playing for teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Rayo Vallecano. He also played for the Spanish national team in the 1994 World Cup.
After retiring from playing, Lopetegui became a coach. He has managed several teams, including Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid Castilla, Porto, Spain national team, Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lopetegui is known for his tactical expertise and emphasis on possession-based football. He has won several titles as a coach, including the UEFA Europa League with Porto and Sevilla.
However, Lopetegui’s time as the coach of the Spanish national team was controversial. He was fired just days before the start of the 2018 World Cup after it was announced that he had accepted the job as the new coach of Real Madrid without informing the Spanish Football Federation.
Biography Table
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julen Lopetegui Argote |
| Date of Birth | August 28, 1966 |
| Age | 56 years old |
| Place of Birth | Asteasu, Spain |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) |
| Playing Position | Goalkeeper |
| Spouse | Ángela Larios (married in 1997) |
| Children | Two daughters, Ane and Lena |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
Young
Julen Lopetegui was born on August 28, 1966, which means that he would have been young in the 1970s and 1980s. During his youth, he began playing football and was eventually recruited to play for Real Madrid’s youth academy.
Lopetegui made his professional debut for Real Madrid in 1985 at the age of 19. He went on to play for several other teams throughout his career, including Logroñés, Barcelona, and Rayo Vallecano.
As a young player, Lopetegui was known for his skill as a goalkeeper and his ability to command his team’s defense. He was also known for his dedication to his sport and his focus on continual improvement.
After retiring from playing, Lopetegui began his coaching career, working with Real Madrid’s youth academy and later becoming the head coach of several teams, including Spain’s national team, Sevilla & Wolves. Despite some controversies in his coaching career, Lopetegui is widely regarded as a talented and respected coach in the world of football.
Julen Lopetegui Playing Career
Julen Lopetegui had a successful playing career as a goalkeeper before becoming a coach. He began his professional career with Real Madrid in 1985, playing for their B team before being promoted to the first team.
After spending several seasons with Real Madrid, Lopetegui played for several other teams, including Logroñés, Barcelona, and Rayo Vallecano. He also played for the Spanish national team, appearing in one World Cup (1994) and one European Championship (1988).
Lopetegui was known for his skill as a goalkeeper, his ability to command his team’s defense, and his calmness under pressure. He was also known for his dedication to his sport and his focus on continual improvement.
Throughout his playing career, Lopetegui won several titles and awards, including the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid and the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Barcelona. He retired from playing in 2002 and began his coaching career soon after.
Julen Lopetegui Coaching Career
After retiring from playing, Julen Lopetegui began his coaching career with Real Madrid’s youth academy. He worked as a coach for several of the club’s youth teams before being appointed as the head coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team.
In 2014, Lopetegui left Real Madrid Castilla and was appointed as the head coach of Porto. He led the team to a successful season, winning the Portuguese league and the Portuguese Cup.
In 2016, Lopetegui was appointed as the head coach of the Spanish national team. Under his leadership, the team qualified for the 2018 World Cup and remained unbeaten in their qualifying matches. However, just before the start of the World Cup, Lopetegui was fired from his position after it was announced that he had agreed to become the new head coach of Real Madrid.
In 2018, Lopetegui was appointed as the head coach of Sevilla. In his first season with the club, he led them to a sixth-place finish in La Liga and won the UEFA Europa League. He has continued to coach Sevilla in subsequent seasons, leading the team to further success in both La Liga and the Europa League. On 5 October 2022, however, following five losses in eight matches in the new season – the last being 4–1 at home against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League – he was dismissed.
On 5 November 2022, Wolverhampton announced he would become the club’s new head coach effective 14 November.
Julen Lopetegui Teams Coached
Julen Lopetegui has coached several teams throughout his career. Here is a list of the teams he has coached:
- Rayo Vallecano (2003-2004)
- Real Madrid Castilla (2008-2009)
- Spain U19 (2010-2012)
- Spain U20 (2011-2013)
- Spain U21 (2012-2014)
- Porto (2014-2016)
- Spain national team (2016-2018)
- Real Madrid (2018)
- Sevilla (2019-2022)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (2022-Present)
Julen Lopetegui Transfermarkt
Transfermarkt is a website that provides information on football transfers, player values, and statistics. According to the website, Julen Lopetegui’s transfer history as a player includes the following:
- Real Madrid B (1985-1986)
- Real Madrid (1986-1988)
- Logroñés (1988-1991)
- Barcelona (1994-1997)
- Rayo Vallecano (1997-1998)
- CD Las Palmas (1998-2000)
As a coach, Transfermarkt provides information on Lopetegui’s career highlights, including his time as the head coach of Porto, the Spanish national team, Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Wolves. The website also provides statistics on Lopetegui’s coaching record, including the number of matches he has coached, his win percentage, and the number of titles he has won.
Net Worth
Julen Lopetegui’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million USD.
