Terry Connor peers into final chapter as Wolves boss

Terry Connor will take charge as manager of Wolves for the final time tomorrow.

And whatever emotion is shown by the outgoing boss at the DW Stadium, it's doubtless that it will match his poignant performance at his pre-match press conference yesterday.

Connor knew a return of four points from 36 wasn't going to be enough to keep him in the hot-seat. But what perhaps the assembled media didn't foresee yesterday was just how much losing the coveted top job had affected such a proud Wolves servant.

His voice cracking and his eyes welling up with tears, Connor tried to hold his emotions in check during his briefing with the written scribes before it was cut short to shield him from any more questions.

Understandably, with news of Stale Solbakken's appointment swelling the attendance at Compton Park, Connor had the uncomfortable task of fielding question after question on his successor.

But he responded with typical dignity and answered everything as dutifully, diligently and politely as he could.

Just as he has over the last two-and-a-half months. Through his emotion, Connor's disappointment was obvious, and the father-of-three revealed his family were suffering more than him.

The 49-year-old said: "The family – my wife and kids – were always going to be a constant source of support.

"Their sense of disappointment was tangible on Thursday.

"I'm a football man and I know if you draw four games out of 12, it's not going to put you in the best light for the job, no matter what's been done on the training pitch or how well I've worked with people behind the scenes.

"Results are the most important thing and I understand why the board made their decision. All the work on the training pitch, what people see and don't see, all that counts is results. It didn't go my way and you don't always get what you deserve.

"My kids have grown up and gone out into the big, wide world and things happen to them.

"They come back and discuss things with their dad and say things like 'that decision isn't fair'. I've always asked them to work hard and you'll get what you deserve if you work hard.

"But I've also told them that life isn't always fair. In other words, you keep working and you will get your rewards.

"And when you think things have gone wrong, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and continue. That's what I think I am like."

Connor was told of the board's plans to appoint Solbakken at his own interview on Monday. But typically – and despite being demoted – this honourable clubman still insists Wolves comes first.

He said: "I have picked myself up because I have to do that really quickly.

"I promised myself I'd be in charge for 13 games and I'd do those.

"I'll meet Stale on Monday and I'll offer every assistance I can from that day on going forwards.

"But having said that, I'll be looking forward to my summer break."

Connor insists he can slot back into the assistant boss' role he served under Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle and Mick McCarthy.

He said: "It won't be difficult for me because I've done it for so many years, from going back to assisting Ian Holloway in 1995, then winning promotion with John Ward, then going up with Dave Jones and then with Mick McCarthy," he said.

"I'm well versed in the role so I know I can do it."