New Premier League manager confirmed in blow to Newcastle United & Sunderland rivals

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed Rob Edwards as the club’s new manager after a compensation agreement was reached with Championship club Middlesbrough.

Wolves had been looking for a new manager following a winless start to the new season and the sacking of Vitor Pereira.

Edwards quickly became the favourite for the vacant position at Molineux. The 42-year-old made over 100 appearances for Wolves as a player between 2004 and 2008 while also previously working at the club over two spells as a coach.

He last managed in the Premier League with Luton Town during the 2023/24 season.

Edwards left Luton in January with the club on the verge of a second successive relegation and was appointed Middlesbrough manager in June.

And Boro have got their Championship season off to a strong start as they sit second in the table after 11 matches. Though their most recent match, a 2-1 win at home to Birmingham City, took place without Edwards in the dugout as he was given permission to speak to Wolves about the manager’s position.

Now the appointment has been officially confirmed by both clubs.

Middlesbrough release statement confirming Edwards’ exit

A statement released by Boro on Wednesday afternoon read: “Middlesbrough FC can confirm that Rob Edwards has now officially resigned his post as head coach after agreeing a contract with Wolves.

“Rob had signed a three-year contract with ourselves during the summer, but after he made it clear he was keen to join Wolves, we reluctantly agreed a figure of compensation for both himself and one of his first team coaches, Harry Watling.

“On Saturday the Riverside came together as one, players, staff, and supporters, and you could feel the sense of unity which is at the core of our club. To everyone involved, we would like to say thank you.

“Adi Viveash took charge of team affairs last Saturday and will continue to do so during the interim period. Let’s stay together. UTB.”

The exit comes as a blow for Middlesbrough as they eyed promotion to the Premier League for the first time in a decade. Last season, Middlesbrough’s rivals Sunderland returned to the Premier League via the play-offs while Newcastle enjoyed an eighth straight campaign in the top flight, qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.

The last time Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland were all in the Premier League together was in 2009, as Newcastle and Boro were relegated.

Now Edwards faces the tricky task of avoiding relegation with Wolves as they sit eight points from safety after 11 games.

Wolves confirm Rob Edwards appointment

Wolves’ statement read: “Rob Edwards is the new Wolves head coach, having signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to begin his fourth spell at the club.

“The former Old Gold defender has taken to management impressively in recent years, earning promotions with Forest Green Rovers and Luton Town – to the Premier League – while enjoying a positive start to this Championship season with Middlesbrough.

“Born in Telford, Edwards’ affinity with Wolves first began in 2004. He played 111 times across four seasons with the club, most notably in the centre of defence under Mick McCarthy.”

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “I know Rob very well and I have seen his growth in different jobs. He’s a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented. When he was a youth coach here, he showed his tactical awareness, but after he took first-team jobs he started to grow his own identity, character and leadership.

“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. We are at a new chapter for the club and Rob will be a key piece of that.”