Julen Lopetegui has rejected the chance to take over as manager of Wolves. The former Spain and Real Madrid head coach was the club’s preferred option to replace Bruno Lage, who was sacked after a defeat at West Ham left the club in the Premier League’s relegation zone. This is the second time Wolves have tried and failed to secure Lopetegui, who was dismissed by Sevilla last Wednesday after they were beaten 4-1 at home by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Lopetegui had been the first choice of Wolves’ owner, Fosun, to become manager when the Chinese company bought the club in 2016 but he ended up taking the Spain job. The 56-year-old won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 and has led them into the Champions League for three successive seasons. Wolves are poised to go into their game on Saturday at home against Nottingham Forest, who are also in the bottom three, with Steve Davis still in temporary charge. Davis oversaw the teams’ defeat at Chelsea last weekend.