Wolves have revived their bid to hire Julen Lopetegui as their new manager despite being knocked back by the Spaniard last month.
Lopetegui was offered the chance to succeed Bruno Lage after being sacked by Sevilla, but opted to turn it down at the time, largely for family reasons.
Yet after failing to persuade Queens Park Rangers boss Michael Beale to take charge, Wolves have turned again to Lopetegui and are increasingly confident of making it third time lucky. As well as rejecting them last month, Lopetegui also turned his back on Wolves in 2016, instead accepting a proposal to coach Spain.
If Lopetegui joins, it would end a search for a new manager that has lasted since October 2, when Lage was dismissed after a dismal defeat at West Ham. It is unclear exactly when Lopetegui would take charge, however, with sources indicating he may not formally assume control before the Premier League pauses for the World Cup on November 13.
That would leave caretaker boss Steve Davis at the helm for the fixtures against Brighton and Arsenal, either side of the Carabao Cup meeting with Leeds United.
After Beale said no, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi announced that the club would stick with Davis for the rest of 2023. But with Wolves 19th in the table, Shi has scrapped those plans and moved again for Lopetegui.
The 56-year-old led Sevilla to the Europa League in 2020, defeating Wolves in the last eight. He has a close relationship with super agent Jorge Mendes, whose Gestifute group have strong links with Wolves.