Julen Lopetegui has been appointed head coach of the Qatar national football team. His contract will run until 2027, covering the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
According to the BBC, the 58-year-old Spaniard steps into the role less than four months after he was dismissed by West Ham United. During his time at the London club, he managed just six league wins in 22 matches before being replaced by Graham Potter.
Lopetegui brings prior international experience, having led Spain from 2016 until just before the 2018 World Cup. His sudden departure came after it was revealed he had accepted a role with Real Madrid, leading to his dismissal two days before Spain’s opening match.
His time with Real Madrid was brief, lasting only four and a half months. He then took charge of Sevilla, where he lifted the Europa League trophy before moving on to a short stint at Wolves in late 2022.
Qatar are still in the running to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, despite an early stumble in the first round of qualifiers. Lopetegui will aim to guide them through the remaining stages and rebuild momentum after a disappointing campaign as 2022 hosts.
“My focus is to help Qatar reach the next World Cup and build a strong team for the future,” Lopetegui said.
Article updated 5 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
