Express & Star

Wolves draw up coaching shortlist

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Wolves are still weeks away from appointing new coaches – as it emerged they want the same coaching style through the club, Kenny Jackett admitted today.

Head of football development Kevin Thelwell and academy manager Gareth Prosser have drawn up a shortlist to replace Under-21s coach Steve Weaver and Under-18s coach Mick Halsall.

The pair left Molineux last month as part of a coaching restructure.

Head coach Jackett, who is taking up to 50 senior professionals in training with assistant Joe Gallen and youth coach Sean Parrish, believes Wolves are still some way off announcing replacements.

But the desire for a 'through line' of approach from Jackett downwards could have been a factor in the departures of Weaver and Halsall.

"It's going to be weeks rather than days, I'd think," said Jackett.

"Kevin Thelwell and Gareth Prosser head that.

"They want the same thing, the same coaching philosophy and coaching style, right the way through the club.

"Kevin and Gareth invited applications which finished a week last Friday and they're just coming up with a shortlist now.

"They haven't started interviews yet but they will shortly."

Jackett hasn't had any input to the candidates but will have a say on the final selection.

He also suggested the roles will suit someone local because of the irregular working hours involved.

"I haven't made any recommendations - I've just looked at the applicants, as Kevin has," he said.

"There have been many applicants from different backgrounds.

"Geography is a big thing. You need people who live close and can devote their time and energy to it.

"It's evenings and weekends - you need to be watching the Under-16s on a Sunday morning.

"It's a great job, a fantastic job.

"There's a lot of EPPP paperwork you have to do from the Under-21s down which you've got to be prepared to do.

"But football and coaching is the number one part."

Jackett hinted he will have more of an advisory role in the selection process.

"I'd have an input into the appointment, but ultimately for it to really work properly they've got to be channelled, and not always into the first team or the first-team manager," he said.

"He (head coach) has to concentrate on that squad and the development of those players and assess when they're ready.

"But as with any good club, there has to be an overlap and consultation.

"We work well as a team here."