Molineux has new Euro vision

Wolves today announced plans for two backroom appointments to signal a change of culture under new manager Stale Solbakken.

The club has plans for a European-style sporting director – called a 'football development director' – and an assistant coach, which is expected to be Solbakken's long-term assistant Bård Wiggen.

The football development director will be appointed by, and report to, chief executive Jez Moxey. The new role hasn't yet been clearly defined, but he will assist Solbakken, who is used to the continental-style arrangement.

Wolves insist the appointments are because they are extending their footballing staff, and will not impinge on assistant manager Terry Connor, Moxey or chief scout Dave Bowman.

But the appointment of a football development director will inevitably lead to questions about the long-term future of Connor and the scouting staff, especially if former boss Mick McCarthy gets another job and comes calling.

Chairman Steve Morgan said: "Stale's going to bring one person in to assist him.

"But Stale is very happy to work with Terry. I think he'll make his own mind up about everybody – players, backroom staff, when he gets to know them.

"Stale understands we may well be bringing in a football development director, but we felt it wrong to make an appointment at the same time as the manager.

"But the director of football is something that's still very much on our mind and it's a system he's used to working with.

"We've got two or three people in mind for the post. We won't rush into a decision. It's important, particularly after his experience in Cologne, that we don't bring anyone in that will clash."

Solbakken confirmed: "I trust the guys already here but I want to add one or two new people. It's too early to say who I will bring."

Morgan insists Solbakken doesn't have to win promotion in his first season.

"We like to pull together as a team, so, no (he doesn't have to get promoted in the first season) absolutely not," he said. "Only 25 per cent of the teams that have gone down come back up.

"It would be nice to be of one of the 25 per cent."