'A class act': remembering Wolves boss Kenny Jackett | OneFootball

Kenny Jackett, the softly spoken manager who restored Wolves’ pride, has died this week aged 64.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, he arrived in 2013 to a club reeling from back-to-back relegations to the third tier, inheriting a damaging culture and downward momentum from Dean Saunders.

Jackett made hard calls, rebuilt the squad and stormed to the League One title with a record 103 points. Highlights included a 6-4 against Rotherham.

On 29 March 2014, thousands made the '10K to MK' journey as Liam McAlinden’s header earned a 1-0 win at MK Dons, taking Wolves six points clear.

Promotion was followed by a Championship campaign in which Wolves missed the play-offs on goal difference, with Nouha Dicko, Benik Afobe and Bakary Sako prolific.

He left in 2016, eight days after Fosun bought the club, and handled his exit with dignity. He later returned for events and spoke warmly about the fans and his time.

Before Wolves, Jackett made 428 Watford appearances and won 31 Wales caps, then managed Millwall, Swansea, Rotherham, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient. His final post was director of football at Gillingham, stepping down in November 2024 for medical reasons.

Fosun’s investment and Nuno Espirito Santo later took Wolves to new heights, but without Jackett’s work from 2013 they may not have enjoyed their resurgence, including golden Europa League memories. Deepest sympathies to his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all his family and friends.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com