Former Wolves player Rob Edwards has ignited controversy by abruptly leaving his position at Middlesbrough to take over as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing a three-and-a-half year contract at Molineux. The move, confirmed on November 12, 2025, sees Edwards returning to a club he has strong links with, but he faces a Herculean task: keeping Wolves in the Premier League.
A Contentious Switch and a Daunting Challenge
While the personal benefits for Edwards are clear—a return to his family home, strong club affiliations, and a significant salary increase—the professional ramifications are stark. He has burned bridges with Middlesbrough's highly respected owner, Steve Gibson, who gave him a career lifeline after his fortunes declined at Luton Town. The manner of his departure has angered many Middlesbrough supporters, though the club is set to receive compensation close to £3 million.
However, the footballing logic behind the switch is being heavily questioned. Edwards inherits a Wolves squad in dire straits. The team's recent 3-0 defeat to Chelsea highlighted their struggles, failing to register a single shot on target. This season, Wolves have suffered nine Premier League defeats, including losses to all three newly promoted teams.
Why Survival Would Be a Monumental Miracle
The scale of the task facing Edwards cannot be overstated. The ownership model under Fosun and chairman Jeff Shi appears focused on merely existing in the Premier League, often selling the club's best players. This strategy, critics argue, almost inevitably leads to relegation.
Edwards' only previous Premier League experience ended in relegation with Luton Town, though his achievement in getting them promoted was remarkable. The current Wolves squad lacks the quality and match-winners that previous managers like Julen Lopetegui and Vitor Pereira had at their disposal. This has led to speculation that Edwards might have been hired with a longer-term view of securing promotion from the Championship next season.
An Uphill Battle from the Start
Edwards walks into a club where the ownership seems resigned to the Championship. The team's lack of firepower and a series of poor results have created a negative momentum that will be incredibly difficult to reverse. With other promoted teams looking stronger than in recent seasons, the battle for survival is fiercer than ever.
If Rob Edwards can somehow steer Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety, it will be considered one of the greatest escapes in recent Premier League history. For now, the former Middlesbrough manager needs nothing short of a footballing miracle.
