Paul Lambert's future: Reports linking Wolves with Jose Couceiro wide of the mark

It’s been almost two weeks since it became known that Paul Lambert’s job was under threat.

Fosun are undertaking a complete review of the 2016/17 season and have cast a wide net in searching for what is almost certain to be Lambert’s replacement, looking at people in and out of work both in the UK and overseas.

Most of the top European leagues ended at the weekend and that could hurry up Wolves’ search.

It remains extremely unlikely that Lambert will stay. The Scot is effectively a sitting duck as he awaits final confirmation of his fate and it would take a huge u-turn, as well as a repairing of a damaged relationship, for him to stay.

Wolves have sounded out Hull boss Marco Silva, who is due to speak to the Tigers’ owners this week regarding his future. Silva won’t be short of offers this summer despite overseeing Hull’s relegation and it’s unlikely he’d drop to the Championship. Former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is also on Wolves’ shortlist and it’s believed they spoken to the Spaniard, who left the Riverside in March.

However, reports suggesting Couceiro could be on his way to Molineux have been given short shrift from sources at the club. It’s believed he is not a target at this stage.

The 54-year-old has just guided Vitoria de Setubal to a mid-table finish in Portugal’s top flight in his second spell at the club.

Couceiro has had 13 jobs since 2002 including with the Lithuanian national team and Portugal Under-21s.

He was previously in charge at fellow Portuguese club Estoril Praia, where he replaced Silva, while he also has a temporary spell at Sporting Lisbon.

Outside of Portugal, Couceiro has also managed FBK Kaunas in Lithuania, as well as Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and Turkish club Gaziantepspor.

If Lambert goes Fosun will be looking for their fourth boss in 10 months.