MICK McCarthy admitted he was ‘amazed’ when close pal Alex McLeish struck gold and landed the job at tomorrow’s opponents Villa.

The Wolves boss was as surprised as anyone when McLeish was appointed to the hotseat at Villa Park just weeks after suffering relegation with their bitter rivals Blues.

McCarthy also revealed that the shock switch across the Second City divide deprived him of a holiday with his footballing friend as he was left scratching his head at the unfoldings.

“First of all I was delighted for him, but I thought he had won the lottery – I have to be honest,” he said.

“I thought ‘if we had been relegated on the last day of season, would West Brom have come and got me?’

“I was just amazed by it.

“I was actually due to go away with him but that had to be cancelled.

“I guess you should never be surprised at anything in football any more.”

Ironically it was McCarthy’s Wolves side who inflicted the heartache of relegation on McLeish’s former side on a dramatic final day of last season.

With just minutes remaining Blues looked like they were going to survive by the skin of their teeth until Stephen Hunt popped up with a vital goal that put the ball back in Wolves’ court.

McLeish had watched his Blues side slip all the way down the league after the epic Carling Cup Final win and their fate was sealed on the last day of the season.

But now the Scot has moved onto pastures new and McCarthy, who played against his peer during his Celtic days, is convinced he will do a good job at his new club.

“Alex is a good football pal of mine who’s been around for a while, and of course we played against each other,” he added.

“He’s started off in the minus column in terms of popularity so I think he is doing quite well now.

“I think he will be a good manager for them, he’s a really top bloke, a solid fella.

“He knows his football and has proved in the past that he’s a very good manager.

“He’s got four points on the board so far so it’s a great start for him.”

McCarthy insists their friendship will be put to one side when the two sides lock horns in the lunchtime kick-off, though, as he aims to build on Wolves’ 100 per-cent start to the season.

“I was at the Blackburn game on Saturday and it was great to see Alex get a warm welcome and the result that he needed.

“Villa looked good in parts and dangerous attacking,

“But on Saturday we want the result.

“Unusually both teams are unbeaten and in the higher parts of the league so we will see.”