What Happened to the Wolf Pack?

18 months ago, things were looking bright for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Wolves were in the middle of their third successive campaign in England's top flight - their longest spell since the 1980s, and were embarking on a massive redevelopment project of their longtime home at Molineux Stadium.

Sadly, things had already begun to go downhill at that point. Wolves' Premier League status was quickly deconstructed like the now redeveloped Stan Cullis Stand, long time manager, Mick McCarthy was sacked late in the campaign and the Black Country side were the first side relegated from the Premier League in 2012.

Wolves were amongst the favourites for a quick return to the Premier League at the start of the season. Alas, quite the opposite is likely to happen - a second relegation in two seasons. This is a decline to ignominy many would not have believed yet after the season they've had, is probably of no surprise.

The sacking of Mick McCarthy was a big mistake right from the off - the club had thrown the white flag to their Premier League survival hopes and the club's fighting spirit which had seen them survive two seasons in a row evaporated into history and has failed to be rediscovered.

The selection of Stale Solbakken last summer was a strange and uninspiring move and despite a strong run at the start of the season, a rapid decline of Wolves' form saw the Norwegian sacked and replaced by Dean Saunders at the start of the new year; Wolves had plucked the former Welsh international from Doncaster Rovers who will probably replace Wolves in the Championship next season.

However, the turnaround for Wolves hasn't quite materialised - injuries to players like Bakary Sakho and loss of form of former Premier League calibre players like Stephen Doyle and Jamie O'Hara have meant that Wolves's first win of 2013 only came in March and placed them in a scrap for survival with the likes of Peterborough, Barnsley, Bristol City and Huddersfield Town.

A failure to keep any sort of winning run has meant that against the odds, Peterborough and Huddersfield Town - sides who only came up from League One at the same time that Wolves have been flying in the Premier League - are set to stay up ahead of the previously highly rated Wolves side.

What now for former Liverpool chairman, Morgan?

A home defeat to Burnley in their final game of the season has seen fans turn against what was once considered a model management led by former Liverpool chairman, Steve Morgan and Wolves must now travel to Premier League chasing Brighton for a win which probably still won't be enough to stave off a second successive relegation.

It just shows you that the Championship is no longer easy fodder for former Premier League sides with the competition tougher  than ever - the plight of Leicester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are testament to this while now Premier League incumbents, Norwich and Southampton were playing in League One only two seasons before their ascent to the top flight.

Unfortunately for Wolves, the malaise that followed them throughout their last Premier League season was never shaken off and has left them staring at a season where they will play against the likes of Milton Keynes Dons, Coventry and Stevenage rather than Manchester United and Arsenal.

5 Candidates to Replace Mick McCarthy

So Bert has left Molineux following Wolves' slump into the relegation zone. Mick McCarthy had been Wolves manager since 2006 and led the Black Country to the Premier League in 2009 and kept them up twice.

A shame really as he had done quite a job with what is essentially a very average team. Furthermore, how has McCarthy managed to get the sack ahead of Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez and Steve Kean even though their clubs have been in the relegation zone far longer than Wolves this season?

I think Steve Morgan is a great chairman - was a great chairman at Liverpool - and I'd like to back this decision. But it is quite risky given they are currently redeveloping the ground and would be in a bit of trouble if they got relegated this season.

So who will replace McCarthy now at Molineux?

Neil Warnock, unattached
Can't see Wolves taking Warnock given his age and the fact that the reason he was originally dropped by QPR was because he wasn't seen as a Premier League class manager. He may be off to Leeds anyway.

Steve Bruce, unattached
Mixed bag at Sunderland - although the sale of Darren Bent to Aston Villa for a record fee didn't help him. Was at Birmingham City when they got relegated from the Premier League although did alright at Wigan. A bit of a risk. 

Gordon Strachan, unattached
Probably one of the most underrated managers not managing at the moment. Took Southampton to the FA Cup and Europe, led Celtic during their glorious Champions League run a couple of seasons ago. Wasn't helped by Middlesbrough's dearth of finances and got the boot for another ex Celtic manager. Could be a great choice in the long run.

Rafael Benitez, unattached
Benitez has been out of management since his tenure at Internazionale ended in failure and shame in 2010. Does have a good relationship with Steve Morgan but would he be motivated to manage what is at best a mid-table club that just about staves off relegation and doesn't have many star names? Probably not. 

Alan Curbishley, unattached
Another fine manager who was given the rough end of the stick by West Ham. Was even lined up as a manager of the Wellington Phoenix's predecessor, the New Zealand (North Shore based) Knights. His record at Charlton speaks for himself and the fact that his managerial talent and nous are being wasted as a pundit is a shame. The favourite at this stage.