Milan are looking increasingly likely to hire Julen Lopetegui, a coach who has never lost to an Italian opponent in the past.
The 57-year-old Spaniard has emerged as the Rossoneri’s leading candidate to replace Stefano Pioli in the summer, even if a number of fans have already registered their opposition to the idea, starting a ‘Nopetegui’ petition online.
Lopetegui, who has been out of work since leaving Wolves last year, also attracted the attention of West Ham, but recent reports suggested that he’s informed the Premier League side that he has already decided to join Milan in the summer.
Lopetegui against Italians
Page 14 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport details how Lopetegui has an impressive history against Italian opponents, never losing at either club or national team level.
Five wins over Italians in particular stand out – the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship final between Spain and Italy, a World Cup qualifier against the Azzurri in September 2017, a Real Madrid win over Roma in the Champions League, and two key wins in the Europa League.
When Lopetegui guided Sevilla to the Europa League title in the 2019-20 campaign, he secured wins over Roma and Inter on path to the title, with the latter losing a tense final.