Rob Edwards Pursues Dream Opportunity with Wolves

Rob Edwards, the 42-year-old manager of Middlesbrough, has received permission from the club to engage in discussions with Wolverhampton Wanderers regarding their managerial vacancy.

Middlesbrough expressed their disappointment at Edwards’ interest in the Wolves position, particularly given his recent appointment at the club in June. They confirmed that they have reached a compensation agreement with Wolves, pending the completion of necessary paperwork.

In light of Wolves’ interest, Edwards was sidelined from his role during the match against Birmingham City. First-team coaches Adi Viveash and Harry Watling, along with academy manager Craig Liddle, took charge in his absence.

On Thursday, Middlesbrough declined Wolves’ initial approach to speak with Edwards, prompting him to engage in discussions with the Championship club’s leadership on Friday. Consequently, he did not conduct his usual pre-match press conference or oversee the final training session before the Birmingham game.

Having signed a three-year contract to succeed Michael Carrick as Middlesbrough manager less than five months ago, Edwards’ team was positioned third in the league prior to the weekend’s fixtures. Sources indicate that, despite being removed from his typical responsibilities, Edwards remained committed to fulfilling his duties, though Middlesbrough took control of decisions regarding training and match preparations.

There is a growing sentiment among Middlesbrough officials regarding Edwards’ eagerness to pursue the Wolves opportunity, as he considers it a ‘dream role.’ Edwards has a rich history with Wolves, having made over 100 appearances for the club from 2004 to 2008. He also hails from nearby Telford and maintains family connections in the area, though logistical concerns are reportedly not a significant factor in his decision-making process.

Dion Dublin, a former striker for Coventry and Aston Villa, commented on the situation, suggesting that Middlesbrough supporters should not be surprised by Edwards’ desire to leave so soon after his appointment. He noted that such occurrences are commonplace in football, emphasizing that decisions often align with individual and financial considerations.

Wolves recently parted ways with manager Vitor Pereira following a disappointing start to the season, leaving the club at the bottom of the Premier League standings. Following Pereira’s dismissal, Edwards emerged as a leading candidate for the managerial role, alongside former manager Gary O’Neil. Although O’Neil initially entered talks, he later withdrew from consideration, positioning Edwards as the preferred choice.

After concluding his playing career in 2013, Edwards transitioned into coaching at Wolves, serving briefly as interim manager in 2016. His coaching journey included stints at non-league Telford and the England Under-16 team, before taking on head coach roles at Forest Green Rovers and Watford. Following a short tenure at Watford, he became Luton Town’s manager in late 2022, leading them to the Premier League for the first time in their history, although they were relegated the following season.