According to recent updates, former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves coach Julen Loptegeui is the current frontrunner to replace Stefano Pioli at Milan in the event that he is moved on from his position in the San Siro dugout at the end of the season.
Despite being out of the 2023-24 Serie A title race, Milan still have aspirations for trophies this season, particularly in the Europa League, however, reports in recent months suggest that Pioli could be coming to the end of his tenure if the Rossoneri end the season without a title.
As per transfer expert Matteo Moretto and Spanish outlet Relevo, Lopetegui is admired by the Milan board for his methodology and ability to build a winning project focused on young players.
Lopetegui has recently rejected highly-profitable offers from the Middle East, namely Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, who instead opted to appoint Argentine Marcelo Gallardo in mid-November.
Bayer Leverkusen are also thought to be monitoring Lopetegui in case Xabi Alonso gets a move to a bigger side in the summer.
Lopetegui has been out of work since his brief stint in the Premier League with Wolves, where he helped deliver a 13th position finish, having taken over when the club were at the bottom of the table in November 2022.
He had previously beaten current Serie A leaders Inter in the 2020 Europa League final while employed by Sevilla in the years prior.
Exclusiva.
El Milan se fija seriamente en Julen Lopetegui para el futuro.
El técnico español es uno de los mejor valorados por la directiva rossonera por sus metodologías, habilidades y capacidad para desarrollar un proyecto joven y ganador.https://t.co/TZHh3B7d9W
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) February 8, 2024