Smith knocks back Wolves

Former Rangers manager Walter Smith has rejected the opportunity to replace Mick McCarthy at Premier League strugglers Wolves.

Smith has been out of management since leaving the Glasgow giants at the end of last season, and has turned down an opportunity to return to the Premier League.

The 64-year-old has previously managed in England, with a four-year spell at Everton, and was approached by Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey about helping guide the club to safety.

“It’s true I’m not going (to Wolves),” Smith told the Express and Star.

“I was totally unsure whether I really wanted to do it or not. It was a purely personal thing, nothing to do with Wolves. I know (Wolves chief executive) Jez Moxey and knew I was more of a fall-back than anything. We didn’t even get as far as discussing money.”

“There was never a face-to-face meeting and we never discussed finance. If someone asks you, you’re pleased to be asked, but the longer you think about it, you start to ask yourself whether it was right.”

Wolves have endured a number of knock-backs in their search to replace Mick McCarthy with Gus Poyet, Alan Curbishley and Brian McDermott all ruling themselves out.