Wolves fail in fresh Curbishley bid

Wolves have failed with another attempt at trying to lure Alan Curbishley – as hopes of appointing Reading boss Brian McDermott receded.

Sources suggest the club went back to the former Charlton and West Ham manager yesterday after he turned down the job last week.

But the 54-year-old has rejected another chance to return to management for the same reasons as before - a lack of "shared vision" with chairman Steve Morgan in the direction the club was going.

It is understood Curbishley turned down the job last week after being offered a three-month contract.

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That would explain the slashing of the bookies' odds on Curbishley last night after he turned down the job following initial discussions with Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey.

The latest blow comes as hopes of recruiting McDermott receded.

Sources are suggesting McDermott has agreed a new, improved three-and-a-half year contract at Reading, leaving Wolves to look at other candidates.

Wolves were keen on McDermott but they were weighing up his impressive reputation which includes spotting Kevin Doyle during his time as Reading's chief scout against a lack of Premier League experience.

Their approach sparked talks between the Reading boss, outgoing owner Sir John Madejski and new one Anton Zingarevich yesterday amid talk of a new, longer-term contract offer to replace his existing rolling 12-month one.

And with the signs that McDermott is set to stay at the Madejski Stadiium, that delay appears to have allowed other managers back in the frame.

Steve Bruce remains the steady hand ready, willing and able to take control at a moment's notice.

But the club are concerned about the negative reaction from fans.

There are also other contenders who have not yet emerged in the public domain, with the club speaking to managers in and out of work.

They could include Blackpool's Ian Holloway, who has Premier League experience.

Wolves again maintained there has been no approach to Brighton for boss Poyet, despite reports to the contrary.

The club are prepared to pay compensation for the right man but it is thought the £2m for Poyet would be too much.

Meanwhile, Wolves have dismissed reports from earlier today suggesting they targeted Reading's director of football Nicky Hammond as well as McDermott as "rubbish".

Wolves want purely a manager at this stage, and there is no suggestion that they are looking to combine the appointment with a scouting and recruitment-type post as well.