Wolves sack manager Stale Solbakken after FA Cup exit

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked manager Stale Solbakken after just over six months in charge.

The Norwegian was dismissed by the Molineux board hours after Saturday's shock FA Cup defeat by Luton.

Solbakken, 44, has struggled to make an impact since starting work on 1 July as Terry Connor's successor, with the club sitting 18th in the Championship.

Doncaster manager Dean Saunders is now favourite to replace him, according to 5 live's Midlands reporter Pat Murphy.

Stale Solbakken factfile

  • Born: 27 February, 1968
  • Playing honours: 58 caps for Norway; won Danish league title in 2001
  • Managerial honours: Danish league title 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011; Scandinavian Royal League winners 2006
  • Wolves record: Wins 11, draws 4, losses 15

However, the League One club said on Twitter  there had been "no official approach to speak to Dean Saunders about any managers positions".

Wolves sit six points above the relegation zone - and have won just three of their last 17 matches in all competitions.

Alex Lawless's winner earned non-league Luton a third-round victory against the four-time FA Cup winners, although Solbakken claimed he was not embarrassed by the defeat.

"There will be a lot of questions over me but that is normal, that's football and I have to take that, it's no problem," he said afterwards. "I can put it right. I'm not embarrassed by the result."

But four hours after the final whistle, Wolves announced that his contract had been terminated.

Solbakken's assistant Johan Lange and first team coach Patrick Weiser have also left the club.

Head of football development and recruitment Kevin Thelwell, assisted by development coach Steve Weaver, will take charge of first-team training until a new manager is appointed.

A Wolves statement added: "The club would like to offer their thanks and best wishes to Stale, Johan and Patrick."

Analysis

Image of Pat Murphy Pat Murphy BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter

"The decision was made before the game at Luton. It was not a case of him losing the dressing room because I'm told he never found the dressing room. It was supposed to be a long term plan but the players never really got what he was about."

Solbakken's appointment was announced in May last year and he started the role on 1 July, following Connor's short reign as successor to Mick McCarthy.

Connor failed to prevent Wolves' relegation from the Premier League last season and the club turned to former Cologne boss Solbakken after also interviewing Steve Bruce and Alan Curbishley.

Solbakken's team won six of their first 10 league games before a run of nine matches without a victory saw pressure from fans begin to build.

A car belonging to the ex-Wimbledon player was vandalised outside his Staffordshire apartment in November. Solbakken said he called the police to investigate the incident in order to protect his family.

Results improved with a run of three wins in four matches in early December, but Solbakken's future was again under scrutiny following a trio of post-Christmas defeats by Peterborough, Ipswich and Crystal Palace.

Following the 3-1 loss at Palace on New Year's Day, the Norwegian said there was no suggestion from the Wolves board that his position was under threat.