Wolves Appoint Rob Edwards as Head Coach on Three-Year Deal

Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially appointed Rob Edwards as their new head coach, signing him to a three-and-a-half-year contract. Edwards joins from Championship club Middlesbrough, where he had only been in charge since June 2023. He takes over from Vitor Pereira, who was dismissed on November 2, 2023, despite having signed a new three-year contract earlier in the season.

The move comes after negotiations between the two clubs, which reportedly included a compensation package of approximately £3 million. The agreement was facilitated by Matt Wild, Wolves’ general manager of football operations, and Neil Bausor, the CEO of Middlesbrough.

Edwards, aged 42, previously enjoyed a four-year playing career with Wolves, making 111 appearances. He briefly served as the interim head coach in 2016. Middlesbrough’s decision to allow Edwards to speak with Wolves arose after he was initially sidelined for their match against Birmingham City. The club expressed disappointment over his desire to engage with the Premier League side but ultimately permitted the discussions.

The appointment reflects Wolves’ strategy to ensure stability as they strive to avoid relegation this season. According to Wolves chairman Jeff Shi, Edwards is well-acquainted with the club and possesses the necessary skills to inject new ideas and philosophy into the team. “I know Rob very well and I have seen his growth in different jobs,” Shi stated. “He’s a very good person… We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy.”

Edwards’ prior experience includes managing Luton Town, where he led the club to promotion to the Premier League during the 2022-23 season. However, he could not prevent their relegation the following season, resulting in his departure in January 2023. He has also held managerial positions at Forest Green Rovers and Watford.

Middlesbrough currently sits second in the Championship, five points behind leaders Coventry City, which adds further context to Edwards’ departure. His first match in charge of Wolves will be on November 22, 2023, against Crystal Palace. In the interim, James Collins, the head coach of the under-21 team, has taken charge, overseeing a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

As Wolves embark on this new chapter under Edwards, there is a palpable sense of anticipation among fans and stakeholders regarding the direction the club will take in the coming months.