Mick McCarthy’s Wolves rebuild, 20 years on | OneFootball

Two decades on from his 21 July 2006 appointment, Mick McCarthy’s rebuild still defines a modern Wolves story. Taking a stripped squad and scant budget, he forged promotion and two Premier League seasons, a legacy that still resonates.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, he arrived days before 2006/07 after Glenn Hoddle walked away amid departures and lost parachute money. At his unveiling he stressed he was Mick McCarthy, not a conjurer, and set about adding players and structure.

With chief scout Dave Bowman and assistant Terry Connor, he targeted young and hungry signings alongside Gary Breen and Jody Craddock. Karl Henry, Michael Kightly, Stephen Ward, Matt Jarvis, Richard Stearman, Dave Edwards, Wayne Hennessey, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and George Elokobi became fixtures.

Promotion followed in his third season, then successive survivals that included wins over Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool at Anfield, and a double against Tottenham. He left in February 2012 after a 5-1 home loss to West Brom, following one win in 11.

The board’s decision preceded a rapid slide into the Championship and then League One. McCarthy had enjoyed open working relationships with Jez Moxey and Steve Morgan, and insisted there were no hard feelings.

Supporters cherished his straight talking, togetherness and community work, which he continues on visits back to the city. Even Mark Douglas’s early prediction of a 2006/07 play-off run proved correct.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com