Rob Edwards Takes Over at Wolves, Departs Middlesbrough After Short Spell

Rob Edwards has officially taken on the daunting challenge of steering Wolverhampton Wanderers to Premier League safety after agreeing to succeed Vitor Pereira as head coach at Molineux.

The 42-year-old Welshman leaves Middlesbrough after just under five months in charge, opting to return to the club where he once played and coached for a combined decade. Edwards has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, marking an emotional homecoming to the West Midlands.

Wolves’ situation could hardly be more perilous. With only two points from 11 games, they sit eight points adrift of safety heading into the international break. Edwards’ first test comes against Crystal Palace at Molineux on November 22, the start of a critical four-game stretch that also includes fixtures against Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United.

After leaving the Hatters, he enjoyed a bright start at Middlesbrough, but his deep ties to Wolves and the opportunity to return to familiar surroundings ultimately proved too strong to resist.

Club chairman Jeff Shi hailed the appointment as a fresh start:

“I know Rob Edwards very well and have seen his growth in different jobs. He’s a very good person, he knows the club, the fans, and the city. We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy and identity, and Rob will be a key part of that.”

Edwards will be joined by Harry Watling, who takes up the role of assistant head coach.

A former centre-back, Edwards made 111 appearances for Wolves between 2004 and 2008 under Mick McCarthy. His coaching career also began at the club, where he briefly took interim charge in 2016 following Walter Zenga’s dismissal.

He replaces Vitor Pereira, who failed to win a single league match this season and was dismissed after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham.

Wolves’ director of player recruitment and development Matt Jackson added:

“Rob Edwards and his staff have shown they can shift culture, build belief, and get confidence into players quickly. The energy he brings off the field is exactly what we need on it. We know where we are — now it’s time to fight back.”