Matt Maher: Importance of Kenny Jackett's work at Wolves cannot be downplayed

When he left a little more than three years later, they were back on their feet, stabilised and about to embark on that dizzying early journey toward the top of the Premier League under Fosun.

Without Jackett’s work, it is likely the best moments of the past decade would never have happened. There really is no telling where Wolves might have ended up.

His death, at the all too early age of 64, has prompted an outpouring of emotion, in part because of the success he delivered but more crucially because of the man he was.

Jackett was a person who commanded instant respect because he instantly respected you. In his dealings with the press, no question was ever left unanswered and nothing was too much trouble.

Beneath a somewhat quiet exterior, lay an inner steel which allowed him to succeed in the not inconsiderable task of turning Wolves around after two successive, painful relegations.

The then record-breaking haul of 103 points achieved on route to winning the League One title suggests it was easy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Big and brave decisions were taken when it came to reshaping the squad, while Jackett held his nerve as Wolves played catch-up with Brentford and Leyton Orient during the first half of the campaign.

The upward momentum continued in his second season at the helm, though Wolves should be considered unlucky. They remain the only club to have claimed 78 points in the Championship and not made the play-offs.

Jackett’s third season, meanwhile, can only be seen in the light of a club which by that stage had been put up for sale by owner Steve Morgan. A 14th-placed felt a disappointment at the time but in truth a solid effort when the key was maintaining stability.

His sacking, shortly after Fosun’s takeover in July 2016, felt harsh. Jackett’s replacement Walter Zenga lasted only 87 days. We’ll never know just what would have happened had the new owners stuck with the man already in post.

What we do know is Jackett was one of the most important Wolves managers in recent history. That will never change.