Wolves are monitoring Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui as the ex-Spain boss held in high regard by owners

Wolves are monitoring the position of former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui with his role at Sevilla under increasing pressure.

The Molineux club are looking for a new manager after sacking Bruno Lage on Sunday and are thought to be following developments with Lopetegui, who has long been admired by owners Fosun.

Lopetegui was Fosun’s first choice to become manager when they took control of Wolves in 2016, but instead accepted an offer to become Spanish national coach.

Wolves are monitoring Julen Lopetegui’s position at Sevilla after their poor start to the season

Wolves owners Fosun international wanted to appoint Lopetegui when they took over the club

Wolves were in the Championship at the time but the hierarchy have still high regard for Lopetegui, after his Sevilla side knocked Wolves out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage two years ago.

Under-21 coach James Collins and Under-18 boss Steve Davis are currently preparing the first-team squad for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea as Wolves chairman Jeff Shi considers his options.

Though they may make an appointment before then, Wolves are prepared to have Davis and Collins in charge at Stamford Bridge, with Lage’s long-term successor in place for the home game against Nottingham Forest on October 15.

Bruno Lage was sacked by Wolves after his side were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United

Pedro Martins, the former Olympiacos coach, is targeting a move to the Premier League and could also come into contention given his links to Jorge Mendes’ powerful Gestifute agency, who have a strong relationship with Wolves.

And while Ruben Amorim is considered the best young coach in Portugal, it appears difficult to persuade him to leave Sporting Lisbon, who are top of their Champions League group despite a patchy start to the domestic league campaign.