Wolverhampton Wanderers today begin their search for a new manager knowing that they may have missed the boat on the best of this summer's crop of potential contenders.

Glenn Hoddle ended his 19-month reign on Saturday afternoon, just moments before England took the field for their World Cup quarter-final and the former national team manager has left Wolves with a big problem as they seek to fill his shoes.

Skipper Paul Ince, popular with the fans and still to agree a new playing contract at the club, is sure to be considered the favourite. With his limited coaching experience, Ince represents probably the cheapest option, which would appeal to the club at a time when economies are being made.

However, Wolves have been left at the starting gate in comparison to their Championship rivals. Crystal Palace have already appointed Peter Taylor, while Phil Parkinson replaced him at Hull City and when Billy Davies left Preston North End for Derby County, highly thought-of Wolves old boy Paul Simpson filled the breach at Deepdale.

Ian Holloway, who was interviewed for the Wolves job prior to Hoddle's appointment in November 2004, has returned to management at Plymouth Argyle this summer and there seems little or no chance of attracting Micky Adams, given the money he is now being allowed to spend at Coventry City.

Having just built the fourth promotion team of his career with Cheltenham Town, former Wolves assistant manager John Ward also appears out of reach.

Ward still lives in Sutton Coldfield but has just signed a new five-year deal at Whaddon Road.