It was an inevitable parting of the ways? Surely a club doesn’t end a dismal run of results by losing at home 5-1 to their biggest rivals, plunging them into the relegation mire of the Premier League and not oust their under pressure manager?
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| Wolverhampton Wanderers - Molineux |
And so it was – after a tenure of 5½ years, being the 7th longest serving manager in English football, Mick McCarthy lost his job at Wolverhampton Wanderers, to be replaced by..... who?
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| Mick McCarthy |
Wolves have already stated that they are looking for an experienced manager to take the helm and try to guide the club away from the lower reaches of the league to stave off relegation and to build for the future, but who are the possible candidates they will be looking at?
Steve Bruce
Initially installed as the favourite for the post, Bruce would bring a wealth of Premier League experience with him after previous spells in charge at Sunderland, Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City. The former Manchester United and England centre-back is currently out of work after being dismissed from Sunderland in November 2011.
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| Steve Bruce |
It would be questionable as to whether the Molineux faithful would warm to the idea of Bruce taking over. Like McCarthy, being a former manager at the Stadium of Light, would Wolves want to gain a reputation for employing Sunderland cast-offs?
Neil Warnock
Former lower league winger Warnock left his post at Queen’s Park Rangers in January, after leading the club to promotion the previous season. He has had a distinguished managerial career at numerous clubs both at league and non-league level and at age 63 would possibly be the steadying influence the club would be looking for.
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| Neil Warnock |
A fully qualified referee, Warnock is renowned for his controversial outbursts, ironically often aimed at the match officials - this may not suit the powers that be at the West Midlands giant.
He does hold a reputation for leading clubs to promotion however, as opposed to success in the Premier League. Useful maybe if the club were to slip out of the top flight, but surely not for short-term survival hopes.
Alan Curbishley
The former Charlton Athletic and West Ham manager has been away from the game for over 3 years and has been linked with many high-profile managerial positions during that time.
After leaving West Ham he spent time taking the club to court, winning his claim for constructive dismissal and it is thought that he is now ready to take on another top job.
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| Alan Curbishley |
A Londoner through and through, Curbishley spent some of his playing career at both Aston Villa and Birmingham City, so moving to the West Midlands would not pose any re-location or geographical problems for him.
He has stated that he would be very interested in the position, whilst Wolves Chairman Steve Morgan is thought to be keen on an imminent move for the 54-year-old. It's no surprise that Curbishley is the bookmakers new favourite to take the position.
Other names in the frame
Other possible candidates for the Molineux hotseat would have to include John Barnes, Paul Ince, Rafa Benitez, Sven Goran Eriksson, Billy Davies, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Ian Holloway.
So who will it be? The club wishes to make a quick appointment before their next Premier League fixture on 25th February away at Newcastle.
Your shout
Are you a Wolves fan? Do you have a preference for any particular candidate? Were the club right to dispense with McCarthy’s services?
Please leave a comment.
Today (Friday 17th February 2012) the 3 main candidates were interviewed for the vacant Molineux position.
ReplyDeleteChief executive Jez Moxey says Wolves are on target to name their new boss after interviewing Steve Bruce, Alan Curbishley and Neil Warnock.