Manic, temperamental, controversial, uncontrollable, charismatic, committed, competitive, engaging and belligerent. But never, ever boring.

These are just some of the ways to describe Arabian Gulf League veteran Walter Zenga, who is sure to be remembered in time as one of the most complex characters to take charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers after his surprise hiring on Saturday.

An array of personalities have gone through the doors at Molineux during the grand old club’s 139-year history. Managers like Stan Cullis, Major Frank Buckley and – in more recent times – Mick McCarthy were not shrinking violets.

Yet in the shock installation of the serial UAE appointee, the Midlanders’ new Chinese owners have taken the pin out of a live grenade and chucked it into the Championship fray. They must hope the fight to regain top-flight status brings the best out of a capricious man embarking on the 16th post of an 18-year spell in the dugout.

His time spent at a total of four AGL clubs has proven Fosun International could not have chosen a more contrasting figure to replace the diplomatic Kenny Jackett. Mixed success and volatile behaviour detailed spells at Al Ain, Al Nasr, Al Jazira and, lastly, Al Shaab for the long-term Palm Jumeirah resident.

The 56-year-old’s first taste of Middle Eastern football was a fleeting one, lasting just five months in the Garden City during 2007 before being sacked. A rare anchor point came at Nasr from 2011-13 – the longest stationing of a peripatetic coaching career – in which two top-three finishes from three were attained.

He proved a competent firefighter when leading the Pride of Abu Dhabi up to third in 2013/14, prior to a strangely-neutered three months with Shaab last season. Before his February departure, he was incapable of fixing the chronic problems at a doomed side as his four points from 11 games contributed to a lowest-ever tally in the professional era.

Explosive arguments with journalists are a given. Fireworks will follow at his unveiling as the inevitable questions follow from the indomitable British press pack about his suitability and the harsh handling of his predecessor’s exit. He must learn to show self-restraint to survive. Don’t forget this is the man who caused a diplomatic incident in 2012 after he railed against a “stupid question” from a “nobody” reporter while at Nasr. He also – among many other occasions – exploded at a press conference in May 2014 as he blasted away questions about his future at Jazira after an AFC Champions league round-of-16 exit to Al Ain – he was dismissed days later.

Such bile will undoubtedly spew forth at opposition managers and referees in England’s hotly-contested second division. Yet among all the controversy is an undoubted ability to form relationships with players.

His 58 caps for Italy and status as Internazionale’s greatest-ever goalkeeper guarantees respect, while his squad will soon know he will always fight for them in return.

This can be seen in the warm words still spoken about him by UAE midfielder Habib Fardan, for example, an excellent player taken under his wing at Nasr. Similarly, his presence in the Al Maktoum Stadium stands when unemployed throughout 2014/15 was greeted by his former charges rubbing their heads at him to his enjoyment, a jovial and playful reaction to his bald head.

He comes to Wolves on the back of a campaign of contrasts. Harshly sacked by Serie A outfit Sampdoria when in 10th during November, then listlessly going through the motions at Shaab. Regaining the defining spark lost during his last UAE posting will be key to hopes of future success at his ruthlessly-ambitious employers.