Wolverhampton Wanderers will turn to experience in their bid to escape the drop after sacking Mick McCarthy on Monday.

McCarthy paid the price for a poor run of form which culminated in a 5-1 home humiliation at the hands of rivals West Bromwich Albion. The 53-year-old was in charge for five-and-a-half years.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said replacing McCarthy with an inexperienced manager isn’t an option.

“It is not a job for a novice. We have to work quickly, we have to get the right manager in, but we are open-minded about what shape and form that takes, whether it is short term or long term,” Moxey said.

Wolves currently sit in the relegation zone on goal difference after their demoralising defeat to West Brom. The defeat was Wolves’ fifth in a row at Molineux and they are among the favourites in the relegation betting. They have 13 games to get the points required to retain their Premier League status.

Former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce and Alan Curbishley, who hasn’t managed since 2008, are the early frontrunners in the football betting for the role.

Moxey added: “It is a difficult job, it is a big job and it is an attractive job. We are a stable club and we think we are very good people to work with.

“We have got a great set of fans, a beautiful stadium and a great history. We are in the Premier League and we want to stay in the Premier League so I think we have a lot of positives to attract the right candidate.”

Wolves will be hoping to have a new man in place by the time they travel to Newcastle United on February 25. The new manager’s first task will be to lift the spirits of a side with just one win in 12 games.