Wolves sack Dean Saunders following relegation to League One

Wolves have sacked manager Dean Saunders and have begun the search for their fifth permanent manager in less than 15 months.

Saunders, 48, replaced Stale Solbakken in January, but won just five of his 20 games in charge and could not prevent Wolves from dropping into League One, the club’s second successive relegation.

The midlands club lost five of their last six matches of the season and former Doncaster boss Saunders is followed out of Molineux by assistant Brian Carey, a former Republic of Ireland defender.

A statement released this morning on the club’s website read: “Manager Dean Saunders has been informed by Wolves that his contract is to be terminated.

“The decision has been made following confirmation of Wolves’ relegation to npower League One. Assistant manager Brian Carey will also be leaving the club.

“Wolves have now begun a recruitment process, which, in conjunction with the board, will be managed by head of football development and recruitment Kevin Thelwell.

“The club will now take as long as is necessary to make this crucial appointment and there will be no publicly communicated timescales.

“Wolves would like to thank Dean and Brian for their efforts in what has been a very difficult period for everyone, and wish them both the very best for the future. The club will be making no further comment at this stage.”

Wolves owner Steve Morgan sacked Mick McCarthy, who had spent five and a half years in charge, in February last year with the club struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League.

McCarthy’s assistant Terry Connor was appointed until the end of that season, but Wolves were relegated to the Championship with three games remaining.

Connor was sacked the following July and Solbakken, who had lost his job at Cologne the previous month, was charged with guiding Wolves straight back to the top flight.

But the Norwegian made little impact at Molineux and after just half a season, with the club lying 18th in the Championship in January, he too was sacked and replaced two days later by Saunders.

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Saunders, who began his managerial career at Wrexham, took over as Doncaster manager in September 2011.

He was unable to halt Doncaster’s slide into League One last season, but galvanised the South Yorkshire club and steered them into second place in the table before leaving to take charge of Wolves.

Doncaster secured an instant return to the Championship with victory at Brentford on the final day of the season under Brian Flynn, who has since stood down as Rovers manager.

Kenny Jackett today resigned as Millwall manager after almost six years in charge.

The 51-year-old joined the club in 2007 and was the sixth longest serving manager in the Football League behind Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, David Moyes, Tony Pulis and Exeter’s Paul Tisdale.

Jackett led the Lions to the FA Cup semi-final this season but a run of four defeats in the last five games saw the club finish just two points above the Championship drop zone.

In a statement on the club’s official website, he said: “After almost six seasons I personally feel the time is right for a new challenge, and also for a new manager to come into Millwall with fresh ideas, to take the club forward towards its long term goal of reaching the Premier League.”

Jackett continued: “I would like to thank the chairman, the board of directors, players, members of staff and supporters of Millwall for their considerable backing.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Millwall. My family and I will always have a strong link and affinity with the club.”

Chairman John Berylson was keen to keep Jackett at the club after becoming close with the manager during his tenure.

He added: “On behalf of the board of Millwall Football Club, I want to express my thanks to Kenny for his fantastic service and achievements over the past five-and-a-half years.

“He has played a major role in creating a stable environment at Millwall which hadn’t been the case prior to his arrival.

“On a personal level, whilst respecting Kenny’s decision, I wish I could have persuaded him to change his mind. He was my first acquisition as chairman of the club and has proved himself to be one of the best.

“I am losing a great manager, but he will remain a good friend and hopefully, golf partner.

“I know everyone associated with Millwall, management, staff, players and fans, will wish Kenny all the very best with his future endeavours, except for those times when he might oppose us on the pitch.

“We are now determined to move the club forward and build on the foundations Kenny has provided towards even greater success.”