Rob Edwards Middlesbrough Manager Rules Himself Out of Wolves Job

Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a return to Wolves, following the dismissal of Vitor Pereira on Sunday.

The former defender, who spent four years at Molineux as a player between 2004 and 2008, has emerged as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to take over in the West Midlands. However, speaking ahead of Boro’s Championship clash with Leicester City, Edwards made it clear his focus remains firmly on the job at hand.

“I was told by my daughter yesterday, so that probably tells you where I stand on it,” Rob Edwards said with a smile when asked about the rumours.

“You know my links to the club, but my full focus is on this job here — which is a brilliant job — and trying to turn things around from the weekend in what’s a really big game against Leicester.

“Speculation is hard for me to comment on. Anything other than Middlesbrough Football Club, which is where my focus is, I can’t talk about.”

‘I love being Middlesbrough manager’

Rob Edwards, who was appointed by Middlesbrough in June following Michael Carrick’s departure, has guided his side to second place in the Championship table. Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Watford last weekend, Boro remain just three points behind leaders Coventry City.

“It’s all speculation anyway,” he continued. “I never get drawn into stuff that’s hypothetical, and I don’t want to get drawn on that.

“I love being Middlesbrough manager and that’s what I want to think about. I’ve not given it a single thought, because my focus is just on this. It’s all the stuff my daughter was telling me about, really.”

Edwards’ coaching career has been on a sharp upward trajectory. After leading Forest Green Rovers to promotion from League Two in 2022, he enjoyed a brief spell at Watford before taking Luton Town to the Premier League the following year — one of English football’s standout achievements in recent seasons.

Wolves seek stability after Pereira exit

Wolves parted ways with Vitor Pereira just weeks after the Portuguese coach had signed a new long-term deal. Pereira, who replaced Gary O’Neil last December, successfully steered the club clear of relegation last season, but leaves with Wolves winless and bottom of the Premier League, eight points adrift of safety.

Bookmakers currently have O’Neil as the early favourite to return to Molineux, with Edwards, Rui Borges, Brendan Rodgers, Kevin Muscat, Sérgio Conceição, and Erik ten Hag also among the leading contenders.