Football News: Kenny Jackett The Surprise Package

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One manager who has really surprised me in the last couple of seasons is Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett. Not having taken too much notice of him while he was in charge of Millwall, looking at his record did not suggest a manager who was likely to impress at all.

Taking charge of Wolves in League One, I was expecting him to just stabilise a fallen giant and little more. Instead he took them straight back up into the Championship and immediately challenge for promotion to the Prem. In the end Wolves missed out on the play offs on goal difference only.

On the other hand, Millwall without him struggled, badly, and ended up relegated last season, down to League One. Right now all is looking rosey in the Jackett garden, his star is well and truly on the rise with Wolves on the up and his previous club floundering without him.

This season will be the one that really tells us about him, as this season the pressure will be on his shoulders, with Wolves expecting a promotion push, rather than hoping for one. The expectations have risen, due in large part to his good work, and the need to make a return to the Prem will be increasing as the parachute payments are decreasing.

Will Jackett be able to replace Bakary Sako, especially as he is going to be leaving on a free, reducing the amount available to bring in a replacement? Are Jed Wallace and Sylvain Deslandes ready to slot into the first team in the Championship, or will they need to be eased in gradually?

Is Sigurdason to be given a chance, now he has returned from loan, or should he be sold and replaced? Should the team be once again propped up with loan signings that will need to be replaced next season, or should the club lower their dependence on them?

All those questions Kenny Jackett will need to find the answer to if he is to return Wolves to the Premier League. The job will only get harder over time, as the parachute payments dry up and the belt has to be tightened further in the years to come.

Written by Tris Burke June 21 2015 09:03:47