Wolves have confirmed the departure of team general manager Andrea Butti, who follows former head coach Walter Zenga out of Molineux.
Zenga, 56, was only appointed to the role by Wolves’ new Chinese owners on July 30, taking over from Kenny Jackett.
Assistant Stefano Cusin also left and first-team coach Rob Edwards has been placed in interim charge, supported by Scott Sellars.
A statement on the club’s official website yesterday an-nounced Butti’s employment had also come to an end.
Inter approach Blanc – reports
Le Parisien yesterday reported that Laurent Blanc had been contacted by Inter to take over from Frank de Boer as coach of the San Siro outfit.
Blanc, who played for Inter between 1999 and 2001, is currently without a club following his departure from Paris SG.
The former France coach is now being considered as the top favourite to replace De Boer if the Dutchman is sacked.
Other reports in France said this week that new Inter owner Suning Group had already ap-proached Blanc and promised him that they would invest heavily in the next transfer window.
Majority of UK fans support gay players
The majority of football fans in the UK would have no issues with an openly gay player at their club, according to a survey carried out for BBC Radio 5 live.
Last week, FA chairman Greg Clarke said he “would be amazed” if there were not a gay player in the Premier League and felt “ashamed” that to date no one had been confident enough to publicly reveal their sexuality.
An online poll of more than 4,000 people across England, Wales and Scotland found 82 per cent of fans said they would not have a problem with an openly gay player at their club.
Eight per cent, though, said they would not watch their team if there was an openly gay player in the side.
Barton future
Joey Barton will hold talks with Rangers today as the first step in resolving the midfielder’s future, reports said yesterday.
Barton has been serving an extended suspension from the club’s training base following a row with boss Mark Warburton and team-mate Andy Halliday.
The 34-year-old had criticised the team’s approach to defending in the wake of their disastrous Old Firm defeat at Celtic Park on September 10.
Barton is, meanwhile, also being investigated by the Scottish FA over allegations he broke strict betting rules.
He was charged with placing 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15 this year.
No issue over
Strachan’s future
Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan insists Hampden bosses did not discuss sacking Gordon Strachan (picture) in the wake of the defeat to Slovakia.
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the next World Cup are hanging by a thread after taking just four points from their first three qualifiers.
Strachan must now hope his team can somehow claim a victory at Wembley when they face England next month.
SFA chief Regan: “There are still 21 points to play for.
“We’re only three games in to the campaign. If we win at Wembley, we’re right back in the mix and I think it’s disrespectful to be talking about a manager’s contract so early in a campaign.”
Mourinho’s lifestyle
Jose Mourinho said he is struggling to adapt to life in Manchester, labelling his living arrangement in the city as “bit of a disaster”.
The Man. United boss said he was far from settled in England’s north west city, staying without his family for the first time.
“For me it’s a bit of a disaster because I want sometimes to walk a little bit and I can’t,” Mourinho said.
“Buy a house? I do not know. The reality is that my daughter will be 20 next week, my son will be 17 in a couple of months.
“They are very stable. University in London... friends. So for the first time the family lives in a different way.”
PSG not parting with Verratti
Midfielder Marco Verratti will not leave Paris Saint-Germain despite keen interest from Juventus and Milan, his agent said.
Verratti showed his disapproval after being substituted by coach Unai Emery at last weekend’s clash against Marseille, leading to speculation that he was seeking a move away from the Ligue 1 champions.
But, agent Donato Di Campli said Verratti will not move.
“Marco wants to win the Champions League with PSG so for now he won’t move,” he said.
“What bothered me was the reaction of the French television commentators, not the club which has put him at the centre of their project… Marco deserves respect.”