Lopetegui succeeds Luis Garcia, who served as temporary coach following Marquez Lopez’s firing in December.
Julen Lopetegui has been hired head coach of Qatar’s national football team, making his first return to international management since 2018.The Spaniard has agreed to a two-year deal.
Lopetegui, 58, was most recently in command of West Ham United for only six months. His tenure, which includes seven wins, five draws, and ten losses in 22 games, was the shortest of any permanent manager in club history, shorter even than David Moyes’ first appointment in 2017-18.His position in Qatar returns him to the international stage nearly seven years after he abruptly left as Spain’s head coach. Lopetegui had been unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain before being controversially fired only days before the 2018 World Cup, after Real Madrid named him as their new manager.
He replaces Luis Garcia, who served as temporary coach when Marquez Lopez was fired in December.
Qatar, the 2022 FIFA World Cup host, is currently ranked fourth in Group A of the third-round FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
