Smith says Wolves job didn’t appeal to him

The former Rangers and Everton manager was asked to take over until the end of the season after turning down a full- time offer as Mick McCarthy’s successor.

Smith’s snub to even a short-term deal has left Wolves back at square one in their search for McCarthy’s replacement.

Smith said: “It’s true I’m not going (to Wolves). 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 Jez Moxey [Wolves chief executive] 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.”

Smith, who is 64 today, quit management last May at the end of his second spell with Rangers.

It was earlier reported Smith had turned down the Wolves job on a full-time basis but might be willing to assume initial command for 13 games in a bid to keep Wolves in the top flight. Several bookmakers had made him the clear favourite to take over from McCarthy, who was sacked 11 days ago.

Wolves have endured a fruitless search in the past few days with Alan Curbishley, Reading’s Brian McDermott and Brighton’s Gus Poyet all rejecting their interest.

Former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce appeared to be the favourite after being interviewed last week.

But Smith then moved into pole position and Wolves had even been hopeful of him being in place for tomorrow’s clash at Newcastle.

Smith has previous experience of managing in the Premier League during four years at Everton and was briefly Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United at the end of the 2003-04 season. He was also manager of Scotland for two years before returning to Ibrox in 2007 for the second time when he led the Ibrox club to three successive titles and the 2008 Uefa Cup final.

Curbishley rejected the chance to replace McCarthy for a second time on Tuesday after initially being interviewed last week. McDermott on Wednesday signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Reading. Poyet has confirmed Wolves’ interest but is happy to remain at Brighton for the foreseeable future.

Caretaker manager Terry Connor will be in charge for tomorrow’s match. The former Leeds, Portsmouth and Brighton striker, who has been at Wolves for 13 years, admitted he would eventually like to move into management.

But he insists all his current focus is on preparing the side for the trip to Newcastle. Connor said: “I have worked all my life to try and better myself. I’ve been a player, youth team, reserve team, assistant manager and been on my courses for management. I’ve worked towards possibly being a manager someday but right now I’m employed by the club as assistant manager. They want to appoint a new manager and I’m just looking after things.”