WREXHAM manager Andy Morrell believes Dean Saunders deserved another crack at the Championship after being appointed the new boss of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Saunders began his management career with Wrexham in 2008 before taking over at Doncaster Rovers in September 2011.
Although he couldn’t stop Rovers from losing their Championship status last season, the former Wales striker has since guided the Yorkshire club to the top of League One, catching the eye of struggling Wolves in the process.
He was unveiled at Molineux yesterday as successor to Norwegian Stale Solbakken and Morrell, who was brought back to the Racecourse Ground for a second spell by Saunders, admits his old boss has landed a top job.
“I think it is a good move for him. Wolves are huge and it is back into the Championship for him as well,” said Morrell, who took over as caretaker boss of the Reds when Saunders left for Doncaster.
“Some say Wolves can’t really get much lower and the only way is up for them, so hopefully Dean will go in there and do a great job.
“He is a fabulous guy. He deserves it and I am sure he will do well there.”
Saunders arrives at Molineux as Wolves’ fourth boss in less than a year after the dismissal of Mick McCarthy last February and the brief tenure of Terry Connor.
The former Wales striker gained coaching experience at Blackburn and Newcastle while he was also assistant manager to John Toshack in the international set-up for three years.
He departs the Keepmoat Stadium with Doncaster currently joint top of League One.
The 48-year-old wasted little time in the Wanderers hot seat having taken charge of training for the first time yesterday ahead of Friday night’s home clash against managerless Blackburn.
“I’m really proud to be manager of the club,” Saunders said. “I’m a bit disappointed to be leaving some of the players behind (at Doncaster). I persuaded 13 of them to sign for me during the summer.
“I’m determined, I’m ambitious. I want to get back into the Premier League, that’s the brief.
“There’s no reason why the team cannot climb up the league.
“Looking at the league table, we are up against it, where we are. But three results and it’s completely different.
“If you do that, you will be up there. We’re nine points off where we want to be. The players have to stop feeling sorry for themselves and work.”
Joining Saunders at Wolves will be his Doncaster assistant manager Brian Carey and fitness coach Mal Purchase after Solbakken’s backroom staff, assistant manager Johan Lange and first-team coach Patrick Weiser, also left the club.
Doncaster aim to appoint Saunders' successor in time for their League One fixture at home to Leyton Orient on January 19.
Former Wales Under-21 boss and Wrexham midfielder Brian Flynn, who has been working for Rovers as a scout, and captain Rob Jones have been placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs while the south Yorkshire club conduct their search for a new manager.
A spokesman for the club said: “The board have met and will now invite applications, but the club are in no rush to make an appointment.
“Brian Flynn and Rob Jones will take charge of the team for Saturday's game at Stevenage, with the club aiming to have a new manager in place in time for the next home game against Leyton Orient.”