Dean Saunders confirmed as new Wolves manager

Dean Saunders has been confirmed as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers following successful talks yesterday.

Wolves announced on Sunday night that a deal had been agreed with Saunders’ previous club Doncaster and just the formalities remained to be completed.

This morning they released a reprised statement which read: “Wolves are delighted to confirm that Dean Saunders is to become the club’s new manager.

“Compensation has been agreed with Doncaster Rovers to allow the 48-year-old to take over at Molineux, following Saturday’s departure of Stale Solbakken.

“Saunders, who has completed the UEFA Pro Licence, has guided Rovers to second place in League One this season, having started his managerial career with Wrexham.

“He has also worked in the top flight as a first team coach at Blackburn and strikers coach atNewcastle, as well as being assistant manager of Wales for three years.

“Saunders enjoyed an illustrious career as a player, winning the FA Cup with Liverpool and League Cup with Aston Villa, and is also fourth on the all-time goalscoring list for Wales with 22 goals from 75 appearances.”

Doncaster confirmed the deal was done on Sunday night and chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “We have agreed a good deal for Doncaster Rovers. Work has already started on trying to find a replacement for Dean and continue our push for promotion back to the Championship.

“I have spoken with Dean to thank him for the fantastic job he has done here at Doncaster and wish him well for the future.”

Wolves have moved quickly to bring in Saunders, having fired Solbakken after a 1-0 FA Cup loss at Luton proved to be the climax of a disastrous six-month tenure which ended with Wolves 18th in the Championship and in the midst of a terrible run of form.