Darren Bazeley on Kenny Jackett at Wolves

Ex-Watford right-back Darren Bazeley is the most notable former Wolves player to have had a taste of the new Molineux head coach's methods.

He is 40 and football development manager for the New Zealand Football Federation, as well as being head coach for the Kiwis' Under-17s World Cup campaign.

But Bazeley came through the ranks at Vicarage Road as Jackett's playing career ended through injury in 1990.

As coach and player respectively under Graham Taylor, the pair won back-to-back promotions as Watford climbed back to the top flight in the late 1990s.

Bazeley then joined Wolves after 239 appearances for the Hornets and played 80 times in three years before a spell at Walsall.

And he believes fans and players alike will respond to Jackett's style of play.

He said: "Kenny liked his teams to play good, positive football, but also worked the players hard, creating a very fit team.

"Players will love working with Kenny and I'm sure he will create a hard-working, positive, high-tempo team that the Wolves fans will enjoy supporting.

"I met Kenny when I was 16 at Watford, he was the youth-team coach at the time.

"He quickly moved from the youth team into the reserves then onto the first team, where he worked under Graham Taylor as assistant before taking over.

"For me, Kenny was a great coach – he was hard but fair and knew how to inspire and get the best out of his players, while maintaining a great team atmosphere.

"He demanded high standards, dedication, determination, and professionalism on and off the pitch."

Jackett's determination to introduce a new era at Molineux was shown when he transfer-listed four players on the first day of pre-season training.

And Bazeley revealed the former Millwall and Swansea manager can handle the dressing room 'big hitters.'

He added: "He has a strong character and will definitely be able to deal with high-profile players."

Having worked with Jackett and played for Wolves, Bazeley believes the two are an ideal fit.

He said: "Funnily enough, when I heard Kenny had resigned from his position at Millwall, I said to people over here that he would be perfect to take over at Wolves.

"When that actually happened it looked like I had an inside knowledge!"

Although he is now 12,000 miles away, Bazeley still takes an interest in all things gold and black, along with fellow former Wolves man in New Zealand, Neil Emblen.

Bazeley said: "I still follow Wolves as does Neil, and was disappointed to see the club be unbelievably relegated down to League One. They should never be in that league.

"But it sounds like it has not all been easy times there, which again is a real shame to hear, as it's such a great club, and I still have many wonderful memories of my time there."