Wolves midfielder Karl Henry believes it was a 'sad day' for the club when boss Mick McCarthy was sacked.
McCarthy left the Black Country outfit on Monday following a 5-1 mauling at home to near rivals West Brom at the weekend left them in the Premier League relegation zone.
He leaves after five-and-a-half years at Molineux, during which time he guided them out of the Championship and kept them in the Premier League for two successive seasons.
However, the club have decided a change is needed if they are to pick enough points in their final 13 league games in order to stay up once more.
Former Stoke midfielder Henry, who was one of McCarthy's first signings, revealed the squad had reacted with shock at his departure and was quick to praise the 53-year-old for the impact he had made on the club.
"I was one of the gaffer's first signings and it has been a great five-and-a-half years," he told the Express and Star. "He did wonders for the club. Before he came several managers had tried and failed to get Wolves up.
"Dave Jones did well to get Wolves there but then they went back down.
"The gaffer did what no manager in the modern era had done by getting up and then staying up. He can certainly leave with his head held high."