Mick McCarthy leaves Wolves with head held high

Wolves owner Steve Morgan today began the search for a new manager as sacked former boss Mick McCarthy declared he was leaving the club with his head held high.

Alan Curbishley has emerged as the firm favourite to take the helm at Molineux after 53-year-old McCarthy was sacked after a dismal run of results, culminating in a 5-1 defeat to arch rivals West Brom, left them in the relegation zone.

After news of his sacking broke yesterday, the ex-manager spent the day at the club's Compton Park training ground seeking out every member of staff to say his goodbyes.

Staff were in tears as McCarthy departed after a five-and-a-half year spell during which he secured promotion to the Premier League and became the first manager to keep them there.

Speaking as he left Compton Park last night, McCarthy said: "Of course it is emotional. I have left a lot of very good friends in there. I have had a fantastic five and a half years with more happy memories than sad.

"I am just sad that I left on a bad note. I want to thank everyone for their support over the years," he added.

Speaking from Europe where he is skiing, Morgan said: "Mick's a good guy and the decision was taken extremely regretfully but results have not been good enough this season.

"It came with a heavy heart because everybody likes Mick and he's been a great servant to the club, and we wish him all the best."

He also admitted that Curbishley was the kind of candidate Wolves had in mind.

"He has got a great track record, he's been there and done that before and he's exactly the calibre of person that we're looking for," said Morgan.

Chief executive Jez Moxey admitted that part of the Molineux board's strategy will be to focus on a short-term "keep us up" candidate in the hope they can stay in the top flight.

Moxey acknowledged that identifying, interviewing and then recruiting the man to take on the long term "Molineux project" may not be possible in the time available.

"You may be right," said Moxey when presented with the option of a short-term fix to answer Wolves' immediate crisis.

"That's definitely an option. It's part of our thinking. If someone wants to come in and say 'you know what I fancy this, I reckon I can keep you in the Premier League' – then we create a short-term situation and they can demonstrate they are worthy of a long-term one.

"We're not saying absolutely no to that." Wolves believe that, with a third of the season still to come and a glut of fixtures against their fellow strugglers, there is time still for the campaign to be retrieved.

See also:

• Wolves seeking quick decision on next manager

• Wolves legend Kenny Hibbitt believes sacking Mick McCarthy is mistake

• Wolves players reveal sadness over Mick McCarthy sacking

• Wolves 1 West Brom 5 – Highlights