Kenny Jackett first to be interviewed for Wolves head coach job

Sources say the 51-year-old was to be the first formally spoken to by the board as they form a shortlist to succeed Dean Saunders, writes Tim Nash.

Former England manager Steve McClaren is also set to be spoken to about the job.

Jackett was understood to have applied for the Wolves post soon after resigning as Millwall manager eight days ago and within hours of Saunders' sacking.

The former Watford and Swansea boss was immediately installed as the bookies' favourite to replace Saunders.

And although polls suggest he isn't the most popular choice among fans, Jackett ticks many boxes for Wolves.

At 51, he has the experience required for such a high-pressure job and has managed successfully at the level Wolves are now at – League One – winning promotion from that division with Millwall via the play-offs in 2010, while he took Swansea from the fourth tier to the third in 2005.

Jackett is one of several candidates chief executive Jez Moxey and director of football operations and recruitment Kevin Thelwell have identified to become the club's head coach.

He joins McClaren and Owen Coyle and others still being assessed. But the club insist they will take all the time needed to get the right man and an appointment could well take another fortnight.

Meanwhile, Jackett's mentor and former Molineux boss Graham Taylor believes his former Watford coach has all the experience needed.

"Kenny is a first-class character," said Taylor. "If they appoint him, things will be done properly – you can trust Kenny.

"He has experienced it all. He played at the top level with Watford and at international level with Wales and he's gone into management and gained a lot of experience. He worked alongside Ian Holloway at QPR and was coach with me in my second spell at Watford."

Suggestions that Barnsley boss David Flitcroft, who has signed a two-year deal to stay at Oakwell, was approached by Wolves have been rejected by Tykes officials.

Chief executive Don Rowing said: "I don't think there is any truth in the rumour at all."

"I know the people at Wolves and I know they would have played it by the book.

"It doesn't surprise me that other people have looked, but we've certainly not had any official communication at all."

New Wolves boss - latest odds:

• Owen Coyle 5/1,

• Steve McClaren 5/1

• Neil?Warnock 6/1

• Kenny Jackett 7/1

• Steve Davis 9/1

• Darren Ferguson 12/1

• Karl Robinson 20/1

• Phil Parkinson 33/1

(odds courtesy of Bet365)