Paul Lambert insists he's staying with Wolves

The head coach has spoken publicly for the first time since reports broke that his future is unlikely to be at Molineux.

The Express & Star understands that Wolves are already on the lookout for Lambert's successor.

However Lambert, who made a pre-arranged appearance on Sky Sports News on Thursday morning, insisted he was staying at Wolves.

When asked if his future was with Wolves, Lambert replied: "Absolutely. You never know what can happen in football but I'm the manager of Wolves, I'm proud to have done it, I'm looking forward to my break and next season.

"Listen, there's no rift on that side of it. The plans for the football club behind the scenes are ongoing. Pre-season's organised, we've identified players that we'd like to try and help us.

"The future for Wolves...everybody wants to get out the league and it's up to me to try and build a team where we can put ourselves in a position to challenge.

"I love the game, I love being at Wolves, I really do. You get clubs you feel really good at...I just feel comfortable there.

"I think I've got a good rapport with the supporters which is vital to me that they're on your side.

"Football's been my life. I love the pressure of it."

Lambert has been tentatively linked with a return to his old club Norwich, who are currently without a manager.

But he said: "If the tea lady left Norwich I'd be linked with that job...just because of what happened five, six years ago."

The head coach also spoke of an enjoyable first six months at Wolves – and that it would take time to develop the club the way he wanted it.

"We come back on the 26th of June," he said of pre-season. "We don't have too much time. The lads need a break. We'll try and do everything we can to make the club really strong."

"It takes time to build it or develop it the way you want it.

"I never realised how good a club it is and the history behind it.

"The training ground is really good, the stadium is brilliant. When it's full, you saw for the Chelsea game, it's a fantastic atmosphere. We have a fantastic support behind it and they've been brilliant since I've been at the club.

"Even going to Anfield and Stoke, the numbers we took was fantastic.

"I know myself how big a club it is. Brilliant football club, really good people at it.

"In my opinion it's too big a club to be where it is. It should be pushing. Whether we get there or not, we should be pushing. Wolves is a top club."

"We've had some great highs....the games we've just spoken about, the Aston Villa game, Fulham away, Brentford away, we had some really good highs.

"We had a bad period in February, we lost five on the bounce, but the form overall has been really good.

"There have been so many new, good things happen at the club and that takes time."

Ex-Boro boss Aitor Karana and current Hull manager Marco Silva are believed to be on Fosun's shortlist as they undertake a comprehensive review of the season – and the direction they want to go in this season.

Lambert took over last November, replacing the sacked Walter Zenga.

Wolves finished 15th with the same points total as 2015/16 despite spending £27million on new players.