Former Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui almost took charge of Wolves three years ago.

Lopetegui was on the verge of becoming Wolverhampton Wanderers manager in 2016 before a last-minute call saw him land the job of his dreams as Spain national team boss.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague explains: “He knew everything about Wolves. He was late, pre-season had started, but he had his luggage ready to go to Wolverhampton. But then the national team called him and that was that.

“It was Wolves he wanted at that point."