Julen Lopetegui: Ex-Spain boss who found salvation at Sevilla can impress Premier League clubs

For Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui, the Europa League last-16 tie against West Ham offers the latest chance to pit his wits against an English team and one of the Premier League's most experienced managers.

The Andalusians, second in La Liga and winners of this competition in four of the past eight years, will be favourites to advance against David Moyes' team in a competition they have dominated since its rebrand in 2009-10.

It is an important game for the 55-year-old Spaniard for all sorts of reasons, among them the fact it gives him a chance to impress any watching Premier League club owners.

Just before accepting the job as Spain manager in 2016, Lopetegui was on the verge of joining a then newly acquired Wolverhampton Wanderers looking to return to the Premier League.

That move did not materialise but these days every time there is a vacancy in the Premier League his name is mentioned, and it is well known — although he refuses to confirm it — that last summer he was offered the job as Tottenham Hotspur manager before it was eventually given to Nuno Espirito Santo.

He is also thought to be one of the names on a very exclusive shortlist for the upcoming job as Manchester United boss.

Asked about the constant speculation over his future and a move to the Premier League, he tells BBC Sport: «As a coach you can't control this situation. You can only control your daily work. Of course you have your dreams and ambitions, and of course the Premier League is a very important competition.

»I had the chance to go to the Premier League in the summer but decided to stay here because at this moment I am where I want to be."

But realistically it certainly seems only a matter of time before he joins a Premier League club.

«We really don't