Exclusive: Coaching restructure casts doubt over Wolves duo's future

Wolves have started a coaching restructure which has left the futures of Steve Weaver and Mick Halsall shrouded in doubt, it emerged today.

The long-serving pair have been told by head of football development Kevin Thelwell that a 'process' has started in the coaching department of reducing the workforce and are set for a further meeting this week when their futures will become clearer.

At least one other member of the coaching staff could be involved in the reshuffle with development coach Weaver and Under-18s coach Halsall.

Employment law means Wolves won't confirm what is going to happen to the duo at the moment.

But the club confirm they have entered into a process of restructuring its coaching which extends much more deeply than the relatively poor results of Weaver's Under-21s, who finished third from bottom of the Under-21s Premier League this season, and Halsall's Under-18s.

The club insist neither has left Wolves, and both remain as employees at the moment, with Halsall watching the Under-16s on Saturday.

Appointed by former boss Mick McCarthy in July 2008, Weaver arrived at the club in a new role to work with the club's 18-21-year-olds to bridge the gap between academy and first-team football.

He spent almost 20 years at Wrexham, initially as a player and then as a coach after his career ended by injury.

Weaver headed up the club's centre of excellence and also spent a year as assistant manager before leaving in January 2008, and worked for Manchester City's academy and scouted for Blackburn before joining Wolves.

After McCarthy's exit in February 2012, Weaver was promoted to first-team coach to assist Terry Connor.

Weaver returned to development coach in summer 2012 and has occupied the role for the last two seasons.

Halsall, who has the title professional lead coach, joined Wolves in July 2009 after a hugely successful decade at Walsall, bringing a host of players through including Matty Fryatt and Scott Dann.

A highly respected figure, he was also caretaker manager of the Saddlers on several occasions.

Born in Bootle, Halsall made almost 400 appearances with Birmingham, Carlisle, Grimsby and Peterborough, who he captained to a Division Three play-off success in 1992 and also later managed before joining Walsall in 1998-99.

In February 2012, Halsall also took on reserve-team duties as development coach for the rest of the season.