Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially confirmed the appointment of Rob Edwards as their new head coach, bringing the former player back to Molineux in a dramatic managerial switch.
Return to Roots
Edwards has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League's bottom club after Wolves paid approximately £3m in compensation to Championship side Middlesbrough. The 42-year-old made the difficult decision to resign from Boro after just 15 games of his three-year contract there.
The move sees Edwards replace Vítor Pereira, who was dismissed by Wolves on 2 November following a disastrous start to the season. Wolves have managed only two points from their opening 11 Premier League matches and face Crystal Palace on 22 November in what will be Edwards' first game in charge.
Leaving Promotion Contenders
Edwards' departure from Middlesbrough represents a significant career gamble. He leaves a team sitting second in the Championship and firmly in the promotion hunt, as demonstrated by their victory without him on Saturday.
Middlesbrough initially rejected Wolves' approach for their manager, but Edwards' desire to return to his former club proved decisive. The manager had previously served as both a player and coach at Wolves, including taking caretaker charge for two matches back in 2016.
Family Connections and Local Ties
The appeal of the Wolves position was strengthened by strong family connections to the area. Edwards' family are based in Telford, his birthplace located approximately half an hour from Wolverhampton, making this a homecoming in more ways than one.
In a statement, Edwards described the opportunity as one he "could not turn down", citing his existing relationships with the club and the chance to lead in the Premier League. The former Forest Green, Watford and Luton manager now faces the immediate challenge of reviving Wolves' fortunes and steering them away from the relegation zone.
