Julen Lopetegui interview: Keeping Wolves in the Premier League is a 'special achievement'

Julian thank you very much for taking a moment to talk to us My pleasure I suppose first of all congratulations on staying in the Premier League You had some days to process that How do you feel Thank you I feel very well of course We have worked very hard to achieve this When I arrived here five months ago it was a very difficult situation for many reasons We were at the bottom with 10 points four points behind the next team And of course it was difficult But in the end luckily the players believed The players have worked very hard To achieve these three matches before the end of the season I think it's a great success for the club For the players for the fans and for us of course Did it feel like death when you were close to coming to Wolves in 2016 and now you're coming this year before the World Cup In the situation the club was in Could you keep them when they needed it most Maybe You can believe in this But it was a situation in which of course the most important thing is whether you believe or not I think we can change the situation knowing that it might be a big risk Many people tell me "Why are you crazy " You don't have to go to the bottom of the Premier League But at this moment my feeling was that I think it was a big challenge for me and my team As a coach We got here without thinking too much but believing and trying to give our best to translate the player that were able to change Our end And fortunately we did You mentioned that some people called you and said "Why did you take the job " "Why did you do it " "That's why because" I feel that it was a challenge for me as a coach I like a tough challenge That's why I am a coach And our life is not easy at many times And for me coming to another country to another league the best league in the world without a doubt In a very dangerous situation it was a challenge Then I didn't think much I came I worked Fortunately the players believe in our message They worked very hard And in the end for me and my team I repeat a lot For me it's the best result as a coach I was lucky because I won the Europa League I won three times in a row in the Champions League with Sevilla In the first time in its history But for me this result was special because of the difficulty we had And now we want to finish in a good way We have three important matches ahead of us The first one is against Manchester United And we are going to go there with the best of our spirits Trying to play a good game You mentioned your time in Sevilla in the Europa League and in the Champions League How has it been to be here in the Champions League and on the other side of the table in terms of matches and how have you found it Yes because I am not used to fighting to avoid relegation That's why it was a challenge for me as a coach I need to change some things in my mind adapt which is important in football life Try to get the best out of my players It was a challenge and we tried to do it Fortunately we have two very good things to support us One is the commitment of the players And another is the commitment of the fans I think they understand that we always need them especially in hard times And I think it has been important This home environment to achieve our last match With three matches remaining in the season how do you approach them Is it an opportunity to give players who haven't played much under your opportunity Or is it a prospect for next season What do you think We will try to make a mix but always focusing on the other parties We have to do the same We have achieved our goal but after being able to compete against Manchester United they are now fighting for the Champions League Of course it's a very important match for them but if you don't approach it with the same commitment you miss out We have to try Knowing that we have achieved our goal having the best spirit the best way to get there and being able to compete with them in the same way You're talking about the last three games but for the next season are you already thinking about the next season and how you want them to play And who do you want to get involved This is the time when we start thinking about the next project We have to talk to the president we have to listen to him To achieve your goal to know your thoughts about next year because for me it's very important to know your message to be able to build a good future together That's why I think it's very important for me to have this meeting with the president And I know that in your press conferences every Tuesday We have asked you many questions about the players in the summer and who is out of contract or in certain situations Do you have an idea now that you' re safe from what might happen Or is it going to be discussed in the summer Yes that's why it's very important Have this meeting with the president find out his idea find out what our reality is for next year and then of course make a decision But in this order That's why the first thing is to get to know it because we have talked but we have talked about this year not next year And for me of course it is very important to meet him And make my decision I want to ask you about Rubén Neves because he has been the captain here of course And obviously you saw it as a 20-year-old in Porto What has it been like working with you at such an important moment for the club and yourself The curiosity of football He started playing with me when he was 17 years old I remember when I finished my job in Porto and told them I would like to work with 25 years Yes it's real I have enjoyed working with you He is a good player but above all he is a good person He has a great commitment to the club It is a good example for the rest of the colleagues It has been a good thing Now of course we will see what is going to happen in the future for all of us And I know we said you should talk to the governor first but if I said we will talk again in a year In the next month of May 2024 where do you want Wolves to be and where do you want them to compete Of course we need to see and feel We will be able to improve our team we will be able to improve our decisions Football is a game of strategy Sometimes you have to react For this type of advice This year has been a very difficult year for many reasons That is why it is time to react and make a good decision for the future Finally I want to ask you about success You know it's one of the best successes of your career but when you look at the statistics The team that has been defeated in the last seven years after 15 matches has been relegated That shows the great work What the players and the team have done since their arrival Yes but the stories exist to sometimes change Unfortunately we have changed I don't like the data much I don't really believe in the data I believe in what I see every day From day one here I have felt the great commitment to the players They want they believe It is the first demand you have as a coach Then it depends In football you can win you can lose Unfortunately we have achieved our goal I am very proud of the player of his character of his commitment Now of course is the time to be able to compete in these three games And then to hear the governor's idea To make our decision Now you can enjoy your summer a bit more Holidays Any plans Of course I need some days to rest Not just the body but the mind Yes because there are a lot of things with a lot of pressure But it's the pressure we want the pressure we love So I think in two weeks when we're on holiday We are thinking about coming here to work I hope you rest Thank you very much See you tomorrow