Rob Edwards has been criticised heavily for choosing to go to Wolves – but Jacqui Oatley last night provided some excellent perspective on the situation.
Wolves are set to officially announce Rob Edwards today, after a breakthrough was reached at the weekend.
Boro will receive around £2 million in compensation from Wolves for Edwards, who has caused anger with his move to Molineux.
Boro fans feel he has shown a lack of respect and loyalty, and a number of pundits have also piled on.
But Edwards has made his decision – and last night on X, commentator and Wolves fan Jacqui Oatley dropped some perspective for hurting Boro fans in the hope that some will view the situation differently.
Jacqui Oatley explains why Rob Edwards is making Wolves move
Edwards became Middlesbrough manager ahead of the 2025/26 season, and signed a three-year contract at the Riverside Stadium.
He quickly endeared himself to Boro fans, overseeing a strong start that has resulted in the club pushing for promotion.
Boro fans feel disappointed, hurt and angry that Edwards would leave now, and some have taken issue with how he has spoken about the club being a family.
He had said in September (via Teesside Live): “We’re a family and if we’re going to achieve something, if we’re going to progress and move forward, then us, the staff, the players and the fans, all of us, we’ve got to be together. Morgan has, from day one of us coming in, been brilliant. He’s been committed and he has worked so, so hard.”
Edwards has been heavily criticised, but Jacqui Oatley last night put out a series of posts on X explaining why he is making the move to Wolves.
She said: “If you had a choice between seeing your young son for a couple of hours a week (getting up at 4am on your only day off to drive several hours on motorway) and living at home, seeing your family every morning and evening, while being paid more, which would you choose?
“I totally understand #Boro fans being livid, we all would be if this happened at our club. But also worth putting ourselves in the shoes of the person making the decision.
“It’s not a straight choice of which team is likelier to be in PL next season (obviously!). Edwards’ family lives in Sutton Coldfield, he started his coaching journey at #wwfc (unpaid), he did a Q&A with me there recently (he asked to do it) to help inspire coaches and analysts as he loves the club, was very candid about his experience – wanting to help them all.
“He can sleep in his own bed every night after spending time with his young lad, instead of missing him growing up. Make up your own minds but these things are not always purely footballing decisions.”
An opportunity Edwards couldn’t pass up
Boro fans are annoyed but hopefully these comments from Oatley will encourage them to think again about Edwards.
Yes, it must be massively disappointing to see him leave after his great start.
| Rob Edwards record at Middlesbrough |
| Games managed – 16 (but didn’t technically manage vs Birmingham) |
| Wins – 8 |
| Draws – 5 |
| Losses – 3 |
| Goals scored – 19 |
| Goals conceded – 17 |
But Edwards is clearly taking this opportunity not just for himself, but for his family.
It cannot have been an easy call for him to make. Obviously he was doing well at Boro and he would have known what the reaction would be even just speaking to Wolves.
He’s taking a bold step, but one that hopefully many giving him stick will come to understand.