Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui leaves just THREE DAYS before Man United’s opening goal – with ex-Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil in the frame to replace him

Julen Loptegui was due to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers three days before the start of the Premier League on Tuesday after holding talks over a seven-figure compensation package with the Molineux club.

The Spaniard, likely to be replaced by Gary O’Neil, still had two years left on a lucrative contract that made him the highest-paid manager in the club’s history.

Lopetegui kept Wolves afloat last season after coming on in November when they were bottom of the table, but relations have since deteriorated over transfer policy differences.

O’Neil led Bournemouth to comfortable survival last season after replacing Scott Parker early in the season, but – to the surprise of many – was transferred in June in favor of Spanish coach Andoni Iraola.

In preparation for the possible departure of Lopetegui, Wolves had been considering possible successors for some time and O’Neil was at the top of the list.

Gary O’Neil was moved to Bournemouth despite a strong season in charge and tops Wolves’ list of potential successors to Lopetegui

Wolves would not have to pay a fee for O’Neil and he would cost considerably less than Lopetegui, the highest paid manager in the club’s history. The 40-year-old O’Neil was expected to sign an initial two-year contract.

Lopetegui’s son Daniel, who had built a strong relationship with sporting director Matt Hobbs, would also leave along with Lopetegui’s assistants Pablo Sanz, Juan Peinado and Edu Rubio, and fitness coaches Oscar Caro and Borja Alonso.

Lopetegui did not lead first-team training, which took place late Tuesday afternoon, as his representatives finalized terms for his departure.

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi wrote an open letter on the club website last week, explaining that Financial Fair Play requirements must be met.

Shi wrote: ‘As the owners and management of the club, one important thing we need to learn and follow is the Premier League’s rules on profit and sustainability (previously called Financial Fair Play or FFP for short). There will be an annual test before the end of the 2023/24 season and we will make sure we pass it, as we have done for the past five seasons.”

Despite holding the Molineux club afloat last season, relations soured over a transfer policy disagreement

Wolves received around £47 million from Al-Hilal after the sale of star midfielder Ruben Neves

Matt Doherty is one of only two summer signings at Molineux to return for free

To achieve that goal, Wolves have recouped £91 million in player sales this summer, including the £47 million departure of captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

They only added defender Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Tom King on free transfers, which led to Lopetegui’s anger.

Wolves counter that they heavily backed Lopetegui last January by approving deals of up to £77m after also paying more than £120m in fees 12 months ago.

Some of the money spent in January was originally earmarked for the summer, but Wolves decided to use it early to give themselves a better chance of survival.