Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked manager Rob Edwards after just seven months in charge and are poised to appoint Portuguese coach César Peixoto as his replacement. The 46-year-old Peixoto, most recently at Gil Vicente, led the club to a sixth-place finish in the Portuguese top flight last season.
Edwards, who was on holiday abroad, learned of his dismissal through social media rumours before receiving a phone call confirming the decision. The news stunned senior club staff, as Edwards had been actively involved in planning for next season, including featuring in a video announcing Raúl Jiménez's return and playing a key role in signing Kieran Trippier.
Technical director Matt Jackson and Edwards had been working on further signings and recently attended a fans' forum where Edwards outlined the need for a cultural reset following relegation. Edwards had previously stated, 'There were assurances that it would be a long-term plan but I’m aware, like anyone, that when you go into this job it is a results-based business.'
Peixoto, who has only managed in Portugal, is represented by Gestifute, the agency led by Jorge Mendes. Gestifute has a close relationship with Wolves' Chinese owner Fosun, which has regularly appointed its clients as head coaches, including Vítor Pereira, Bruno Lage, and Nuno Espírito Santo. This link also facilitated signings such as Pedro Neto and Rúben Neves.
Executive chair Nathan Shi described the decision as 'extremely difficult' and said it was based on sporting considerations. 'Our decision was not about character, professionalism or dedication. It was about determining what we believe gives Wolves the strongest opportunity to move forward from a sporting perspective,' Shi said. 'It would have been easier to continue with what was familiar. However, leadership is not about choosing the easiest path, but about making the difficult decisions we believe are right for the future of the football club.'
