Next Wolves manager: The runners and riders

Kenny Jackett was sacked in the summer and Walter Zenga got his marching orders this week.

But who's next for the Molineux hot seat? Tim Spiers takes a look at the possible runners and riders.

Who fits the bill?

Sources suggest that Wolves' ideal candidate is British and has a history of success in the Championship, be that winning promotion or getting a team to the play-offs.

Well, there aren't a huge amount of those guys around.

Sam Allardyce, who won promotion with Bolton and West Ham, is certainly one, but it's thought that a move for the self-styled 'Big' Sam is a long-shot. There are believed to be issues over finances, while Allardyce is also still under an FA investigation over the recent scandal that cost him the England job, and carries plenty of baggage.

Talking of available British managers who have a history of Championship success but carry plenty of baggage, Wolves held initial talks with Nigel Pearson this week.

They wouldn't be doing their due diligence if they didn't speak to Pearson, who took Leicester to the top flight, but is he the right man for Wolves? Pearson left both the Foxes and Derby under a cloud and the reaction from fans to those initial talks has been almost vitrolic. Like a pack of angry ostriches.

Others who fit the remit and are currently unemployed are Brian McDermott (champions with Reading, 2012), Ian Holloway (a play-off winner with Blackpool in 2010 and Crystal Palace in 2013), Harry Redknapp (play-off winner with QPR, 2014) and Malky Mackay (champions with Cardiff, 2013).

Paul Lambert worked wonders with Norwich City (promoted, 2011) and is available having left Blackburn in the summer.

Of guys in work who may be tempted to move to Molineux, Mark Warburton performed minor miracles with little Brentford when he led them to the top six in 2014/15.

Warburton has since moved north of the border and took Rangers to the top flight (and a Scottish Cup final) last season. He has also been linked with the vacant Wigan job.

And it's a shame Steve Bruce hasn't been available at any point in the past six months. He's not a bad Championship manager. I think the fashion at this point is to say "rolls eyes".

Available

The Molineux post bag will be more packed than Silvio's on Valentine's Day, with all the CVs being sent their way.

Other available British managers Steve Cotterill, Alex McLeish and Steve Evans, although it's unlikely that any of that trio will float the Wolves fans' collective boat.

Ryan Giggs seems to be bandying himself around as he looks for his first management job and is certainly a big name, albeit one with next-to-no experience.

Tim Sherwood's reputation was tarnished by what happened at the car crash that was Aston Villa last season, but his stock was previously sky-high after a successful stint with Spurs and he certainly talks a good game.

One vastly experienced British manager who hasn't really been mentioned yet is Roy Hodgson, a man whose last appearance at Molineux saw him oversee a 5-1 victory for some team from down the road. There's no doubting his credentials but at aged 69 would he really fancy it?

If Wolves do end up going down the foreign route again then former Belgian boss Marc Wilmots could be an option and has featured heavily in the betting.

Marco Silva was spoken to in the summer but given his lack of experience in English football Wolves would be brave to appoint him, given Walter Zenga's struggles.

If Jorge Mendes gets his way then Vitor Pereira or Andre Villas-Boas, both Portuguese and unemployed, may end up in WV1.

And if Wolves can't be bothered to change their spag-bol-heavy canteen menu Gianfranco Zola (who got Watford to the play-offs in 2013) and ex-Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin are two unemployed Italians with experience of the English game.

The Wolves connection

Ah, the emotional draw of appointing someone just because they used to play for Wolves. A dangerous game.

Dougie Freedman seemed to hate his time at Molineux as a player but was a shock odds-on favourite on the day Zenga was sacked.

He's believed to have thrown his hat in the ring and has managed three Championship clubs (Palace, Bolton and Forest) but didn't set the world alight with any of them.

Paul Ince has thrown his hat, his scarf and his gloves into the ring with a passionate plea for Wolves to give him his 'dream job'.

Ince, a popular player during his time at Molineux, has a checkered managerial record and was turned down for the job in 2006 and 2012.

John De Wolf has carved out a coaching career in the Netherlands, while Kevin Muscat has enjoyed great success back in Australia with Melbourne Victory and it's thought he'd jump at the chance to move back to Molineux.

Keith Curle has taken Carlisle to second in League Two but it's thought MK Dons is a more likely destination for him.

And, he didn't play for Wolves, but Mick McCarthy's popularity at Molineux remains undimmed with many. Going nowhere with Ipswich and with as good a record of Championship success than almost anyone, would he return to Wolves? And would Wolves have him back?

The current incumbent

Interim boss Rob Edwards certainly can't be discounted.

The 33-year-old has risen the ranks very quickly at Compton Park, going from under-18s coach in 2014 to first-team coach last summer.

He's now been entrusted with temporary charge of the team and is very highly regarded at the club, as well as respected by the players.

His under-18s side played some great football and Edwards is a level-headed man with good tactical knowledge.

He may make a fine manager/head coach one day, but is it too soon for Wolves to consider him? The likes of Eddie Howe, Alex Neil and Brendan Rodgers have proved in this league in recent years that age is no barrier to success.

If he can guide Wolves to a couple of wins in the next eight days, Edwards will give himself a chance.