Rob Edwards has broken his silence after Wolves confirmed him as their new manager on Wednesday.
Rob Edwards has arrived on a three-and-a-half-year deal at Molineux, replacing Vitor Pereira who was sacked 11 days ago.
The Edwards appointment has received a lot of attention from people in the media and fans, with many critical of his decision to leave Middlesbrough.
Edwards had only been at the Riverside Stadium since the start of the season, and Boro fans believe he has shown a lack of loyalty and integrity by jumping ship this early.
Simon Jordan blasted Edwards for his decision, and even now wants Wolves to get relegated as a result.
The criticism was overboard, but there are certainly a lot of others who are very unhappy with the situation.
But Edwards has now broken his silence about his move to Wolves – and has confirmed one theory that’s been going round.
Rob Edwards says Wolves was a dream job in statement after Middlesbrough exit
Edwards is now a very unpopular figure on Teesside.
Boro fans feel hurt and angry with the way he has walked away from the club.
Edwards had been doing a great job and had Middlesbrough unexpectedly in the mix for automatic promotion.
The club will now have to find a new manager, after Wolves paid Middlesbrough compensation to prise Edwards away.
Last night, Edwards released a statement on social media – and he confirmed that he wouldn’t have left Boro for any other club, suggesting this is indeed a dream job for him.
He said: “This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career.
“I wouldn’t have considered leaving Middlesbrough for any other club.
“Wolves is a special club for me. It’s where I grew as both a player and a coach, it’s still where my family calls home. It has always been my dream to come back and these opportunities do not come around too often.
“Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad, it is a great group of players that I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success this season.
“I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly – the players, the staff, and the fans, who drive it all.
“I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond.”
His words come after Middlesbrough released their own statement about Edwards, which featured admission they were ‘reluctant’ to let him go.
Pundit Charlie Adam had also theorised that it was a must-take opportunity for Edwards, as it may never have come around again.
Wolves lure was too great for Edwards
Although there’s praise for Middlesbrough, Edwards makes no apologies for his move to Wolves in his statement, and clearly he owns his decision.
This was very clearly an opportunity that he simply couldn’t pass up.
He’ll likely always be disliked by Boro fans over this, but Edwards now has the chance to manage the club he has a very strong affinity with.
Are you confident Rob Edwards will help Wolves avoid relegation?
It will be a tall order to keep Wolves in the Premier League.
But Wolves see Edwards as a long-term appointment and are set to back him even if the club fall into the Championship.
Hopefully it’s an appointment that will work out. But ultimately, Wolves fans will feel not a great deal will ultimately change so long as Fosun and Jeff Shi are calling the shots at Molineux.