Wolves legend Kenny Hibbitt believes sacking Mick McCarthy is mistake

Wolves legend Kenny Hibbitt today claimed the club had made a mistake by sacking boss Mick McCarthy.

The former Molineux midfield hero insisted McCarthy would have kept the club in the Premier League.

Wolves axed McCarthy today in the wake of yesterday's 5-1 Black Country Derby humiliation at the hands of Albion, which prompted angry protests by fans calling for the manager's head.

But Hibbitt said: "I really think it's a sad day for Wolves. I think Mick has done a great job for Wolves and I don't care what anybody says.

"I said a few weeks ago that it wasn't the right time to make a change and I still think the same.

"There are players who haven't been playing as well as they should have this season – people like Stephen Hunt, Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle – but they have shown in the past that they respond to Mick.

"I believe he had the players to keep Wolves in the Premier League and I believe that would have happened."

Former Wolves manager Graham Taylor claimed a lack of leadership from players had cost McCarthy his job. "Irrespective of the manager there has to be leadership from the dressing room and I'm not talking just about the captain, I'm talking about every player," said Taylor. "But a new manager comes in and sometimes has an effect on the players.

"That could be the thinking behind Steve Morgan's decision. As much as he got on with Mick, maybe he had to have a change of manager and hopefully it will get a reaction which will be enough to keep them in the Premier League. "

Former Wolves striker Andy Gray admitted he feared the hammering by the Baggies would be the last straw.

"I hate to see managers go, especially managers that have brought teams up and done such a good job," said Gray. "Fans don't want success tomorrow, they want it yesterday and I knew Mick would have a problem as soon as I saw the result yesterday."

Dudley-born West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, a boyhood Wolves fan, said: "They have obviously reacted to yesterday but to take Wolves from where they were to stabilise them in the Premier League is a pretty good record."

See also:

• Wolves seeking quick decision on next manager

• Wolves players reveal sadness over Mick McCarthy sacking

• Mick McCarthy sacked as Wolves manager

• Wolves 1 West Brom 5 – Highlights