Julen Lopetegui turned down an approach from Crystal Palace, preferring to wait for other options in the Premier League.
That’s according to AS, who say the Spanish boss was not overlooked in the developing race to replace Roy Hodgson but turned down the opportunity to do so.
The newspaper explains that the Basque coach was contacted by Crystal Palace as a possible replacement for Hodgson, who appears to be on the brink of being sacked by the Eagles.
They showed a ‘clear determination’ to hire the former Wolves manager and have been showing interest for the last few months, but the Basque coach has decided to ‘decline the proposal’ due to a matter of timing.
Crystal Palace wanted someone who would have an immediate impact, but Lopetegui wants ‘an ambitious project’ in which he can start from scratch. It seems he did not consider the job at Selhurst Park as such a project.
Thus, he turned down the approach, preferring to wait until the summer and explore several other fronts that may be open up to him in the coming year.
He wants to remain in the Premier League following his time at Wolves and still lives in England waiting for that opportunity to present itself.
He has been linked with the Manchester United job, although Erik ten Hag is now dispelling doubts about his future, while AC Milan have also enquired about his situation, and it seems the possibility of jobs like that means Crystal Palace’s approach wasn’t enough to turn his head.
