Soccer:Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey insists club owner Steve Morgan's dressing-room outburst after the home defeat by Liverpool earlier this month did not contribute to Mick McCarthy's downfall as manager. McCarthy made it clear he was unhappy that Morgan vented his feelings towards the players in the aftermath of the Reds' 3-0 win at Molineux.

But, when asked if that had any bearing on McCarthy’s sacking just 12 days later, Moxey said: “Honestly no. Mick wasn’t happy with it and he said so. It’s not football protocol for a chairman or an owner to go into the dressing room. That’s why you’ll never find me there.

“But you know what — he’s the owner and he can do what he wants. If an owner who is putting his money in wants to do it, he can go and do what he wants.”

The Wolves players left behind by McCarthy admit they are saddened by his departure. Defender Jody Craddock, the club’s longest-serving player, also played under McCarthy at Sunderland and said: “It is always sad when something like this happens. Mick has been fantastic here.

“He’ll walk into another job because he’s got all the credentials.”

Winger Michael Kightly said: “The boys are all gutted. We’ve all got a great relationship with the gaffer. We owe him a lot.”

And Ireland international Stephen Ward added: “The lads are devastated. A lot of us have been here a long time and all the squad would want to thank the gaffer for everything he has done for us.”