Wolves have secured Rob Edwards as their new head coach after agreeing a compensation package with Middlesbrough, bringing the former defender back to Molineux in a desperate bid to salvage their catastrophic Premier League campaign. Edwards has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal to take over a side bottom of the Premier League on just two points, with an official announcement expected imminently as the club attempts to arrest a historic winless run.
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The Pereira Disaster That Forced Change
Vitor Pereira was dismissed last Sunday after Wolves failed to win any of their opening 10 Premier League games, culminating in a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Fulham that left the club rooted to the bottom of the table. The Portuguese manager’s reign lasted just months after he had signed a three-year contract extension in September, highlighting the depth of Wolves’ crisis.
Pereira’s Damning Record
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 11 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 20th |
| All Competitions | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 9 | – |
Wolves sit 20th in the English Premier League with a record of 0 wins, 2 draws, and 9 losses, making them the only club in England’s top four tiers yet to secure a league victory this season. The eight-point gap to 17th-placed Burnley already looks ominous just 11 games into the campaign, with many pundits writing off Wolves’ survival chances before Christmas.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi’s statement confirmed the inevitable: “Unfortunately, the start to this season has been a disappointment and, despite our strong desire to give the head coach time and matches to find an improvement, we have reached a point where we must make a change“.
A Controversial Chase for Edwards
Wolves’ pursuit of Edwards sparked fury at Middlesbrough, where the 42-year-old had only been appointed in June. Wolves had an official approach for Edwards rebuffed by the Championship club on Thursday afternoon, who were keen to keep their manager. However, Edwards’ desire to return to his former club eventually forced Boro’s hand.
The breakthrough came over the weekend when Edwards had not taken Boro training as negotiations continued over a move to become Wolves head coach, with his scheduled press conference on Friday cancelled. By Saturday, Edwards was granted permission to speak with Wolves after being stood down as Middlesbrough manager for their Championship fixture against Birmingham City.
According to The Telegraph, senior figures at Middlesbrough believe Wolves breached Premier League conduct rules in their pursuit of Edwards, adding another layer of controversy to an already contentious appointment.
The Compensation Package
Reports vary on the exact compensation Wolves will pay Middlesbrough for Edwards’ services:
| Source | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|
| David Ornstein (The Athletic) | £2 million |
| Sky Sports | £3-4 million |
| Ben Jacobs (talkSPORT) | Just under £3 million |
Middlesbrough stand to make somewhere in the region of £3m-£4m in compensation, though Wolves have agreed to pay £2 million in compensation to Boro for taking Edwards from them according to some reports. The discrepancy likely reflects different aspects of the deal, including potential add-ons and bonuses.
Why Edwards? The Homecoming Angle
Edwards made over 100 appearances for Wolves during his time there as a player from 2004 to 2008, establishing himself as a fan favorite during his four-year spell at Molineux. But his connection to the club runs much deeper than his playing career.
Edwards was also part of Wolves’ coaching staff, working with the U18s in 2014 before being promoted to a coaching role with the first team in 2015. He returned to the club after a short spell away to become head coach of the U23s in 2019, a position he held before embarking on his managerial career with Forest Green Rovers in 2021.
Edwards took his first coaching steps at Molineux, serving on the staff of Kenny Jackett, Walter Zenga and Paul Lambert – even taking charge of two games as interim manager in 2006. These deep-rooted connections made him an obvious choice for a Wolves board desperate for someone who understands the club’s DNA.
Edwards admitted himself that the fans are the ‘most important’ people at a club and that he looks to build a strong relationship with supporters as soon as he is appointed. This approach contrasts sharply with Pereira’s tenure, which became increasingly fractious as results deteriorated.
The Middlesbrough Sacrifice
Edwards leaving a Middlesbrough team in the Championship’s automatic promotion places for a Wolves side without a win in 11 Premier League games might seem difficult to explain. At the time of his departure, Middlesbrough are fourth in the Championship table after recording seven wins from 14 games, sitting in prime position for promotion back to the Premier League.
Many observers questioned Edwards’ decision to swap security for peril. Respected journalist Henry Winter tweeted: “From a footballing perspective, it seems a strange decision by Rob Edwards to swap Middlesbrough for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Boro: 2nd in the Championship, great owner, strong dressing-room, loyal fans and positive culture“.
Yet the lure of the Premier League proved irresistible. Edwards’ previous experience with Luton Town demonstrated his credentials at the top level, having garnered much admiration for his handling of some emotional challenges at Luton as they made an impressive fist of their season in the top flight.
The Task Ahead: Mission Impossible?
Edwards inherits a squad in free fall, with the statistics making grim reading for Wolves supporters. The challenge facing the new manager was summarized by interim boss James Collins: “It’s obviously a tough job because the boys are at the bottom of the league“.
However, Collins offered some hope: “What I would say to him is that the boys are together, they’re working hard, they want to work on the training pitch“. This suggests the dressing room hasn’t completely fractured despite the dismal results.
Former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil, who withdrew from consideration for the role, believes “it’s going to need a big reset“. O’Neil explained: “They’ve lost big players in windows just gone. But they spent a lot in the last summer window. They backed Vitor [Pereira]. So far, this team that they’ve put together has not been able to put results on the board“.
The Relegation Reality
Wolves are close to appointing Rob Edwards as their new manager as part of a long-term plan which will cover the club in the event that they suffer relegation from the top flight this season. This pragmatic approach suggests the board recognizes survival is far from guaranteed.
Wolves believe Edwards’ appointment gives them the best chance of earning promotion from the Championship next season, should they fail to avoid the drop in 2025-26. Edwards has experience in both divisions, having guided Luton Town to promotion to the Premier League via the 2022-23 Championship play-offs.
This dual-purpose appointment represents shrewd planning from a club that must prepare for both outcomes. If Wolves are relegated, they’ll have a manager proven in the Championship rather than starting another managerial search while in crisis.
Squad Dynamics: Winners and Losers
Edwards’ appointment will inevitably reshape the pecking order at Molineux. One of Pereira’s most controversial decisions in recent weeks was starting two players considered to be among Wolves’ best players on the substitutes’ bench, referring to Andre and Joao Gomes.
It would be no surprise if Edwards wanted to bring both Andre and Joao Gomes back into contention at Molineux given the quality they have shown previously. This could mean midfielder Bellegarde drops down the pecking order as Edwards seeks to restore confidence in his most talented players.
Between the posts, Sam Johnstone appears secure as number one. Edwards likes to keep the ball as far away from his own goal as possible and that means he wants a keeper who will be willing to go long when needed, as well as being a good shot-stopper. Johnstone is considered slightly better with his feet than Sa, which is why he’s got the nod between the sticks in recent weeks.
The Fixture Nightmare
Edwards’ first match will be crucial for setting the tone. His first game will be after the international break when Crystal Palace come to Molineux on November 22 at 3pm. Palace represents a must-win fixture if Wolves are to have any hope of climbing off the bottom.
The schedule immediately after offers little respite:
- November 30: Aston Villa (away)
- December 3: Nottingham Forest (home)
- December 8: Manchester United (home)
- December 13: Arsenal (away)
This brutal sequence will test Edwards’ methods immediately, with four matches against teams in the top half of the table within the first month of his tenure.
Player Reactions: Cautious Optimism
Club captain Toti Gomes offered measured support for the incoming manager. “I don’t know him personally as a gaffer but hopefully him and his team can come and help us. I’m very excited to work with him, so let’s see what he can do to help us“, Toti said following the defeat to Chelsea.
The Portuguese defender acknowledged the scale of the challenge: “Of course, this season things were not working the way we expected but sometimes football is like this and now we need a change“.
South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan also welcomed the fresh start, with both players recognizing that change was inevitable given the team’s predicament.
Hope Against Hope
Rob Edwards returns to Wolverhampton as both savior and pragmatist—a manager tasked with achieving the near-impossible while preparing for potential relegation. The romantic narrative of a former player returning home cannot disguise the brutal reality: Wolves are bottom of the Premier League with just two points from 11 games, their worst start to a top-flight season in decades.
Edwards’ deep connection to the club, his Championship credentials, and his ability to build relationships with supporters make him as good a choice as any for this seemingly impossible mission. Yet even his admirers must acknowledge that eight points from safety with 27 games remaining represents a mountainous task.
Wolves plan to back the 42-year-old in the January transfer window, suggesting the board recognizes that tactical changes alone won’t be sufficient. Whether Edwards can inspire a great escape or must instead navigate the club back through the Championship will define both his career and Wolves’ immediate future.
The homecoming begins now. For Wolves’ sake, it must begin with victories—and quickly.
FAQs
Why did Wolves sack Vitor Pereira?
Pereira was dismissed after Wolves failed to win any of their opening 11 Premier League matches, leaving them bottom of the table with just two points. The final straw was a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, despite Pereira signing a three-year contract extension just two months earlier.
How much compensation did Wolves pay for Rob Edwards?
Reports vary between £2-4 million in compensation to Middlesbrough. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported approximately £2 million, while Sky Sports suggested £3-4 million, likely reflecting different aspects of the deal including potential add-ons.
What is Rob Edwards’ connection to Wolves?
Edwards played for Wolves from 2004-2008, making over 100 appearances. He also held multiple coaching roles at the club including U18s coach, first-team coach, U23s head coach, and even served as interim manager for two games in 2016.
How was Middlesbrough performing under Edwards?
Middlesbrough were second in the Championship when Edwards left, sitting in automatic promotion places with seven wins from 14 games. His departure angered Boro officials, who believed Wolves may have breached Premier League conduct rules in their approach.
What are Wolves’ chances of Premier League survival?
With zero wins from 11 games and sitting eight points from safety, Wolves face a severe relegation battle. The club has appointed Edwards partly because of his Championship experience, preparing for the possibility of relegation while hoping he can engineer an unlikely great escape.
