Wolves are set to appoint Rob Edwards as their new boss in the coming days after his strong form at Middlesbrough – but one journalist has called his decision to leave the Teesside club as ‘shameful’.
Wolves have made a shocking start to the Premier League season, which led to them sacking Vitor Pereira after just two points from 10 games to start the campaign.
With a new replacement on the horizon, it means that Rob Edwards is their chosen man, having agreed compensation with Middlesbrough for his services.
But the former Wales international’s decision to leave the Riverside Stadium for Molineux has been called shameful, having been in the role in the north east for just a few months.
Rob Edwards ‘has abandoned’ Middlesbrough as alternative verdict given on Wolves move
Speaking ahead of the managerial appointment, The Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards tore into namesake Rob’s decision to leave Middlesbrough – stating that his words about the Boro side being a ‘family’ could come back to haunt him if he uses the same trick on the Wolves squad.
Luke Edwards said on BBC’s Premier League Review: “I think he’s taken a very, very risky move in his managerial career. I think it is shameful.
“Where it’s risky for Rob Edwards and where he has brought shame, is he went into Middlesbrough with ‘we’re a family’ and ‘we only want people who want to be here’.
“You can only assume that is the sort of language he uses behind the scenes as a manager in his team talks, when he’s trying to persuade players to come to the club.
“Quite frankly, after three months – and he’s done a very good job in a short period of time, Edwards – they’re unexpectedly challenging for promotion.
“He’s then, at the first opportunity, abandoned them. That sort of language will follow him around. It’s a risky move for a manager who preaches that sort of communication.
“He’s got a Premier League job, he’s gone to Wolves, but I doubt he’ll keep them up, and his actions speak louder than his words ever will do.”
Rob Edwards’ time at Wolves at least makes the move genuine
While it will be annoying timing for Middlesbrough fans to cope with their manager’s departure, Rob Edwards at least has ties to Wolves.
Born in nearby Telford, Edwards also spent four years at Wolves as a player, featuring in a prominent role in the 2005-06 season and the following campaign before joining Blackpool, who he won promotion with.
Having retired at the age of 30, Edwards then moved to the academy of Wolves as a coach, before joining the first-team staff and having a head coach role further down the club’s ranks, leading the under-23 side to promotion.
That alone means that Edwards has a reason to move to Wolves, despite Middlesbrough’s recent resurgence and the Old Gold’s downfall at present.
If Edwards can do the unimaginable and get Wolves out of the mire, he’ll certainly go from club icon to club legend.