In a move that has sent shockwaves through English football, Rob Edwards has declared the opportunity to manage Wolverhampton Wanderers was impossible to resist, even with the club staring at the grim prospect of relegation from the Premier League.
A Controversial Departure from Middlesbrough
The decision has infuriated supporters of Middlesbrough, whom Edwards has chosen to abandon despite the team's excellent start to the season in the Championship. Edwards is returning to Molineux, a familiar ground where he previously worked both as a player and a coach, acknowledging the disappointment he has left behind.
Speaking candidly about his choice to leave Boro, Edwards stated: 'I want to be respectful to Middlesbrough and I know I will have let them down.' He added, 'But I have to live my life, enjoy it and take risks. We are not here for very long and I didn't want to look back in the future and think: "Maybe I should have given it a chance (the Wolves job)".'
Fulfilling a Long-Held Ambition
Edwards emphasised that the pull of Wolverhampton Wanderers was a deeply personal and professional calling he could not ignore. 'I was in a great job with very good people and we had done well,' he conceded. 'But this was something I had wanted to do for a long time and the opportunity to manage Wolves in the Premier League might never have come up again.'
He revealed that his goal to manage the club was set over a decade ago. 'My aim has been to manage Wolves since I started working with the under-18s about 11 years ago,' Edwards explained. 'I don't think I would swap this situation (the relegation fight in the Premier League) for that one (the promotion fight in the Championship) at any other club.'
Edwards believes those closest to him understand the weight of his decision. 'My family and the people close to me know how much this club means to me and they know why I have made this decision,' he said. 'People who don't know me will have their own opinions.'
A Daunting Task Ahead at Molineux
Edwards faces an immediate and monumental challenge. His first match in charge will be this Saturday at home against Crystal Palace. The situation at Wolves is dire; the team is yet to win a game this season and their meagre tally of two points from 11 matches leaves them eight points from safety.
The club's fanbase has turned against the owners, Fosun, and executive chairman Jeff Shi, creating a tense atmosphere. Edwards accepted that a dose of harsh reality is necessary, stating there must be 'realism' about the future.
'We cannot bury our heads in the sand and be caught out if things don't go the way we want,' he warned. 'Our focus is on making sure we are a Premier League club next season, but we all know where we are and there is realism.'
