Wolves are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of iconic former manager Kenny Jackett at the age of 64.
Jackett will forever be loved and remembered by everyone associated with Wolves for the incredible job he did in helping turn the club around after dropping from the Premier League into League One.
Under his guidance, the Old Gold won the third-tier title at the first attempt, setting a new divisional points record of 103 and restoring pride and identity to Molineux, while setting the wheels in motion for the club’s success over the last decade.
Watford-born Jackett began his playing career at his hometown club, progressing through the ranks at Vicarage Road under Graham Taylor and becoming a key figure in one of the most exciting eras in Watford’s history. He made 428 appearances for the club, placing him among the club’s leading appearance-makers, while also representing Wales at international level, winning 31 caps.
Forced into early retirement, he made an immediate and seamless transition into coaching with the Hornets, initially working with young players before progressing to assistant manager and eventually taking on the managerial role.
Jackett’s first major managerial success came at Swansea City, leading the club to promotion from League Two in 2004/05 and added both the Football League Trophy and back-to-back FAW Premier Cup wins, while from there he moved to Millwall, guiding the Lions to promotion via the League One play-offs in 2010.
Then in 2013, following double relegation for Wolves, Jackett was the man to step into the Molineux hotseat where he became a beloved figure among the Old Gold faithful.
As well as immediately stopping the rot which has set over the previous two years, Jackett turned Wolves into one of the greatest teams the third tier of English football has ever seen. Dominating their way to the League One title with a staggering points record.
He followed that up with a seventh-placed finish in the Championship, and narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
After leaving Wolves in 2016, Jackett managed Rotherham United as well as leading Portsmouth to the League One play-offs and EFL Trophy success, as Pompey overcame Sunderland in the final at Wembley Stadium.
He also enjoyed spells with Leyton Orient and Gillingham over recent years, where he moved into a senior technical and strategic role as director of football, before stepping down in November 2024 on medical grounds.
Reflecting on Jackett’s passing, LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: “Kenny stands as one of the most respected managers to have plied their trade in the EFL, a hugely capable leader whose work across four decades has left a lasting influence on the many players, coaches and colleagues who benefitted from his guidance.
“He embodied everything we like to see in a manager, humility, professionalism and a deep care for his players and staff. He improved every club he served and did so with quiet dignity throughout his career.
“From his first role at Watford to his final role at Gillingham, Kenny’s work was characterised by an incredible sense of responsibility to his teams and to the game itself.
“Kenny is a huge loss to all that knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his wife Samantha, sons David and Ryan, and all of his family and friends, who join us in mourning.”
Jackett’s legacy still remains strong at Wolves, where he will be forever remembered as the man who started the club’s rise from the third tier of English football into European title chasers.
If not for the foundations he laid at Molineux, Wolves may never have reached those dizzying heights they have experienced in more recent years.
Thank you for everything you did for Wolves, Kenny. Rest in peace.
The thoughts of everyone at Wolves are with Kenny’s family and friends during this devastating time.
