  The recent discovery of long-period, low magnetic field pulsars in low-mass
X-ray binaries (LMXBs) represents a challenge for the standard evolutionary
scenario. These pulsars have a magnetic field strength comparable to that of
millisecond pulsars ($\sim 10^8 - 10^9$ G), but their period is at least an
order of magnitude longer. We discuss the origin of this new class of pulsars
within the standard picture of LMXBs formation and apply our results to the
case of IGR J17480-2446. The magnetothermal evolution of the binary system is
studied numerically by taking into account the effect of different accretion
rates during the Roche-lobe overflow in the framework of the minimal cooling
scenario. We show that, in addition to standard millisecond pulsars,
long-period low magnetic field pulsars should also be expected as a possible
outcome of the binary evolution, depending on the strength of the accretion
rate during the Roche-lobe overflow. In particular, we argue that IGR
J17480-2446 belongs to this new class of objects.
