Rob Edwards has been appointed as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year contract, tasked with the daunting challenge of keeping the club in the Premier League. The 42-year-old leaves Middlesbrough after just 15 games in charge, triggering a compensation payment of around £3 million.
Wolves are bottom of the Premier League with only two points from 11 matches, eight points adrift of safety. Edwards' first match will be against Crystal Palace at Molineux on November 22. The club's supporters have grown disillusioned with owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi, and many are resigned to relegation.
Edwards previously led Luton Town to the Premier League in 2023, where they fought creditably before being relegated. He was sacked the following season as Luton suffered a second consecutive relegation. Edwards made 111 appearances for Wolves as a player between 2004 and 2008, and later served as interim manager in 2016.
Jeff Shi said: 'I know Rob very well and I have seen his growth in different jobs. He's a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented.' Edwards will be joined by assistant head coach Harry Watling, who also leaves Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough issued a statement making a thinly-veiled dig at Edwards, saying: 'Rob had signed a three-year contract with ourselves during the summer. But after he made it clear he was keen to join Wolves, we reluctantly agreed a figure of compensation.' Boro fans displayed banners reading 'Rob Edwards you rat!' at a recent match.
