Wolves players this afternoon spoke of their sadness after manager Mick McCarthy paid for his side’s dismal Premier League form with his job.

McCarthy’s one-year rolling contract was terminated today. And after he broke the news to the players at the club’s Compton training ground, Wolves’ longest-serving player Jody Craddock admitted it never gets any easier when a manager loses his job.

“It is always a sad day when something like this happens,” he said. “I’ve been at clubs when it has happened before and it’s never nice.

• Mick McCarthy sacked as Wolves manager

“All we can do as players is keep our heads down and keep working hard. I’ve been here with the gaffer ever since he arrived and would just like to thank him for the support he has given me.

“He’s been fantastic here and he’ll walk into another job because he’s got all the credentials. It’s just a shame it has come to this.”

Two players 53-year-old McCarthy brought in midway through his first season were Stephen Ward and Michael Kightly and Kightly today admitted the players were “gutted” at his departure.

“The gaffer has been a big part of his club for the last five-and-a-half years and helped everything take off,” said Kightly.

“When he took over we were tipped to go down and what he achieved has been remarkable.

“The boys are all gutted. No-one likes to see anyone lose their job and we’ve all got a great relationship with the gaffer. We owe him a lot and wish him the very best.”

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Ward, who McCarthy signed from League of Ireland side Bohemians, added: “The lads are devastated. We’ve been on a long run together with a lot of us here for a long time and all the squad would want to thank the gaffer for everything he has done for us.

“He has turned me into a left-back and someone who has played in the Premier League and at international level. I’ll always be grateful for his guidance and what he’s done for me at Wolves.”

Meanwhile, Alan James, chairman of the Telford Wolves, today revealed support among fans for McCarthy had dwindled in recent weeks.

And he admitted yesterday’s humiliating 5-1 Black Country derby defeat at the hands of arch-rivals West Brom proved the final straw.

“We had probably seen a drop of about 10 to 15 per cent travelling to away games recently,” said James.

“I don’t think it’s down to the recession because supporters always seem to find money to watch their team.

“I think it’s because of the results. People said they were going to pick and choose their matches and there were very few on our coach supporting McCarthy.”

James cited current Birmingham boss Chris Hughton or former QPR chief Neil Warnock as potential replacements.

“We need someone who is going to lift the players,” he added.