Wolverhampton Wanderers have appointed former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga as their new head coach, the English Championship club said yesterday.

Wolves acted quickly in naming a replacement after they sacked manager Kenny Jackett late on Friday, a little more than a week after China-based Fosun Group took over the second tier outfit from long-standing owner Steve Morgan.

Zenga, whose previous managerial stint was in the Middle East with Al-Shaab last season, has managed sides including Steaua Bucharest, Red Star Belgrade, and Catania, Palermo and Sampdoria in Serie A during an 18-year coaching career.

“We’re delighted to appoint Walter as the new head coach of Wolves. He is a hugely passionate personality who lives for football and is fiercely determined to succeed in everything he does,” Wolves director Jeff Shi said in a statement.

“We are looking forward to working with him, and supporting him in the shared aim of trying to help Wolves achieve promotion back to the Premier League.”

The 56-year-old, who kept five clean sheets for hosts Italy when they finished third in the 1990 World Cup, will formally take charge of the squad tomorrow.

Former Millwall manager Jackett, 54, joined Wolves in May 2013, taking them back to the second tier at the first attempt with a record total of 103 points, after successive relegations.

The following season Wolves came seventh and only missed a play-off spot on goal difference.

Last term, they struggled to a 14th place finish in the Championship standings.

Reports said the Fosun conglomerate had paid about £45 million to buy the club, with the new owners prioritising a return to the Premier League.

Wolves, who were founder members of the Football League, were relegated from the top flight in 2012.

Their heyday was in the 1950s when they won the English title three times.