Former West Ham and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has admitted a Premier League return remains an aim in the future.That’s after he leads Qatar at the 2026 World Cup.GettyLopetegui helped Qatar qualify for the World Cup[/caption]Once manager of Real Madrid, the Spaniard joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022 and led them from the bottom of the table to a 13th-place finish.Why did Julen Lopetegui leave Wolves?However, he then left days before the 2023/24 season was due to start.This was due to frustrations about new signings and other concerns surrounding the club.In an interview before his exit, Lopetegui said: “Unfortunately we have this situation. I am not a financial adviser of course but I am a coach and I know we need to be competitive in the Premier League.“I hope that we are going to improve this situation because we need that. The players that are here, they’re committed but of course all of the rest is true.“Unfortunately, the situation was reality, it was bad news for me of course.“I’m trying in the summer; this is the plan A that we have and after that we have to adapt to the situation to the plan B, trying to think about the players that are cost effective signings in this situation.“It is true that in this moment, we can’t develop the plan B either. We lost a lot of players, and it is true that we think the club want to sell more players.“This situation, we need players to balance the squad and be competitive in the Premier League for sure.”The situation did not get any better and he left on August 8.Lopetegui had a good spell in charge of WolvesGettyWhy did Julen Lopetegui leave West Ham?After nine months away, he was then confirmed as the new West Ham boss in May 2024.His tenure was extremely mixed. There were wins over Manchester United, but also heavy losses to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.A 4-1 loss to Manchester City in January sealed his fate with the club in 14th after just 22 games in total.However, despite these dalliances with the Premier League ending unfortunately, he admits he still loves the competition and would consider a return in the future.Lopetegui told Henry Winter: “I have very, very big memories with Wolves. Big memories about the city, about the fans, the incredible support with me, incredible respect with me. That’s why I always will love them for sure. I wish the best always to them.“And about West Ham, I think that now, looking at what’s happening now, I think that we were not bad.Lopetegui, though, had a difficult time in east London with West HamGetty“We were, for sure, I think that in the 14th position with many, many points, with difference over the relegation zone. Much more closer than to go to Europe to be out of the relegation. But it’s true that in the meantime, sometimes about the expectation.“I think that we were in one moment where we were very close to do the winter market. It was very important for us. We knew much better our players, much better our context to make the right movements to improve the team.“But, okay, they decided to finish our agreement.“It was a pity for me because I think that the players were very, very convinced about our way to work, our way there. But it’s true that you are looking at the expectation of difference. Sometimes you think that your real situation is not good. Now, looking with perspective, you can see that it was not bad.“But, okay, there are different experiences that we have to accept. You ask me, I am very proud about both processes in England. I love English football.“I love the Premier League. I think it’s by far the best competition around the world for many, many reasons.GettyLopetegui will lead Qatar at the 2026 World Cup[/caption]“The main reason is, I think, the environment and the passion about the fans. This is, I think, one thing that is not easy to equalise in any country.“To be able to go to a World Cup, that’s why we came here [to Qatar]. Now we have this big aim, this big goal in front of us. But in the future, for sure, the Premier League can be one big aim too.”What is Julen Lopetegui doing now?Lopetegui will head to the 2026 World Cup in charge of Qatar.They are, though, winless in their last four games.There have been losses to Zimbabwe, Palestine, and Tunisia, while they managed a draw with Syria.Lopetegui’s side will play Serbia at the end of March before kicking off the World Cup campaign against Switzerland.They also play Canada and a third team – either Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, or Northern Ireland.This will be decided in March’s final round of UEFA qualifying matches.