Walter Zenga gone in 87 days - Now Wolves start hunt for manager to lead pack
Wolves are looking for their third permanent boss in three months after Walter Zenga was sacked just 87 days into his Molineux reign.
The Italian was given the boot after a poor run of four defeats from five matches saw Wolves slide towards the Championship relegation zone.
Dudley-born Sam Allardyce – a boyhood Wolves fan – was immediately installed as one of the bookies' favourites for the job, as well as young Portuguese manager Marco Silva.
Zenga only officially started as Kenny Jackett's successor on August 1 and presided over just 14 Championship matches, leaving the club 18th in the league four points above the drop zone.
Wolves said they would launch a 'thorough process' to find Zenga's replacement.
Impatient owners Fosun, who bought the club for £30million in July, have acted fast in a bid to transform Wolves' fortunes this summer as they eye up promotion to the Premier League as soon as possible.
Main club director Jeff Shi arrived back in the country at the weekend and is believed to have delivered the news to Zenga in person.
His assistant boss Stefano Cusin has also been sacked. The future of team general manager Andrea Butti remains unclear.
First-team coach and former Wolves player Rob Edwards, who survived in the summer when Jackett was sacked, will take temporary charge of the team for Saturday's crunch clash against Blackburn Rovers, who are currently in the relegation zone.
Zenga oversaw 17 matches in total, making his the third shortest-reign in Wolves' managerial history.
Bill McGarry was in charge for 12 matches in 1985 and Terry Connor was boss for 13 winless games after Mick McCarthy's sacking in 2012. Zenga has lasted less than 12 months in ten of his 16 managerial roles. His last four jobs have all ended in under seven months.
Wolves legend Steve Bull said he should have been given more time, adding: "Fourteen games isn't really long enough but Fosun must have seen that he couldn't bring success."
However, most fans welcomed the news of Zenga's sacking.
The Italian's charismatic personality won favour with many supporters, who were still singing his name during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Leeds, but results have been unacceptable and there were widespread calls on social media for a sacking in the wake of that game.
In a brief statement Wolves thanked Zenga for his contribution to the club.
The statement, which was not attributed to anyone in particular, said: "Wolves have announced that Walter Zenga's contract has been terminated with immediate effect.
"Stefano Cusin, assistant head coach, has also left the club.
"Wolves will be conducting a thorough process to recruit a new head coach and won't be revealing any timescales associated with this important task.
"Rob Edwards, first team coach, has been placed in interim charge of the first team, supported by under-23s coach, Scott Sellars.
"The club would like to extend their thanks and best wishes to Walter and Stefano for their contribution to Wolves during the season so far. Wolves will be making no further comment at this stage."
Zenga was believed to still be living in a hotel in Wolverhampton while his wife and two young children remained in Dubai.
The 56-year-old former Inter Milan and Italy goalkeeper travelled to Dubai to see them immediately after Saturday's defeat and returned to Wolverhampton on Monday night.
It is believed the trip was sanctioned by club bosses.
More than 6,000 fans had voted on an expressandstar.com poll within hours last night, with a majority of 55 per cent saying the club was wrong to axe the boss.
