WOLVERHAMPTON, UK – Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially confirmed the appointment of Rob Edwards as the club’s new head coach, formalizing the move that will see him return to Molineux on a long-term contract.
The 42-year-old takes charge immediately, inheriting a team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Long-Term Commitment and Compensation
Edwards has signed a contract with the Wanderers that will run until June 2029, indicating the club’s commitment to him as a manager for the long haul. The announcement ends the club’s search for a replacement for Vítor Pereira, who was sacked earlier this month.
- Compensation Fee: To secure Edwards’ release, Wolves paid Championship club Middlesbrough a compensation package reported to be in the region of £3 million. Edwards had only joined Middlesbrough six months ago on a three-year deal.
- Backroom Staff: Edwards will be joined by assistant head coach Harry Watling, who worked alongside him at Middlesbrough.
A Return to Familiar Grounds
The appointment marks a significant return to Wolves for Edwards, who has deep ties to the club:
- Player: He made over 100 appearances for the club as a player between 2004 and 2008.
- Coach: He has previously served in various coaching roles at Molineux, working with the U18s, U23s, and even having a brief spell as interim boss in 2016.
Wolves Chairman Jeff Shi praised the appointment, stating: “He’s a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented. We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy, bringing his own identity and ideas, and we can build on that.”
The Immediate and Daunting Challenge
Edwards faces a monumental task, with Wolves currently sitting eight points adrift of safety in the Premier League. His first game in charge will be at home against Crystal Palace on November 22, immediately following the international break. He will use the two-week break to quickly instill his philosophy and prepare the squad for the fight against relegation.
