Wolves Make Urgent Approach for Rob Edwards: Middlesbrough Reject Bid Amid Relegation Crisis
Wolverhampton Wanderers have suffered a major setback in their managerial search, with Middlesbrough firmly rejecting an official approach for head coach Rob Edwards. The Premier League’s bottom club made their move on Thursday, hoping to lure the 42-year-old back to Molineux, but Boro swiftly blocked permission for talks, determined to keep their promotion-chasing boss.
Key Points
- Wolves sacked Vítor Pereira on 2 November 2025 after a winless start (0 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses in 10 games).
- Formal approach for Rob Edwards made on 6 November; rejected the same day.
- Edwards has guided Middlesbrough to 3rd in the Championship with 26 points from 14 games.
- Gary O’Neil withdrew from contention on 3 November amid fan backlash.
- Wolves remain rock bottom with 2 points, 8 adrift of safety.
- Interim duo James Collins and Richard Walker in charge for Chelsea trip on 8 November.
Wolves’ Desperate Hunt: From Pereira Disaster to Edwards Dream
Just five days after axing Vítor Pereira—45 days after handing him a new three-year deal—Wolves identified Rob Edwards as their saviour. The Portuguese boss paid the price for the worst start in Premier League history, becoming the fourth top-flight manager sacked this season.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi admitted results had “fallen below acceptable standards,” but the damage runs deeper. Wolves are the first team ever to go winless in their opening 10 games in consecutive campaigns. A humiliating Carabao Cup exit and losses to all three promoted sides sealed Pereira’s fate.
Enter Rob Edwards: former Wolves defender (111 appearances, 2004-2008), youth coach, and brief 2016 interim boss. His Molineux DNA made him the perfect fit for a club craving identity and fight.
Why Edwards? The Homecoming That Almost Happened
At 42, Edwards boasts a CV that screams “relegation escape artist”:
| Achievement | Club | Season |
|---|---|---|
| League Two title | Forest Green Rovers | 2021-22 |
| Championship play-off winners (promotion to PL) | Luton Town | 2022-23 |
| Premier League survival fight (relegated on final day) | Luton Town | 2023-24 |
| Championship Manager of the Month (August) | Middlesbrough | 2025-26 |
Middlesbrough Slam the Door: “He’s Not For Sale”
Boro owner Steve Gibson wasted no time. Despite Edwards’ Wolves history and the Premier League allure, permission to speak was denied. Sources say any deal would demand “significant” compensation—potentially £5m+ given his contract runs to 2028.
Edwards himself stayed professional after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester: “I’ve not paid any attention to it. I’m just concentrating on my job here at Middlesbrough.”
Translation: He’s happy on Teesside, chasing automatic promotion.
The Gary O’Neil U-Turn: Fan Fury Forces Rethink
Wolves’ first choice was a sensational reunion with Gary O’Neil—sacked just 11 months ago. Advanced talks collapsed on 3 November when O’Neil withdrew, reportedly influenced by fierce supporter opposition.
Fans chanted against his potential return, fearing a lack of ambition. O’Neil, still on Wolves’ payroll via his severance, walked away despite agreeing terms.
What’s Next for Rock-Bottom Wolves?
With the international break looming, time is critical. Interim bosses Collins and Walker oversee Saturday’s daunting trip to Chelsea. A new permanent appointment before 22 November seems unlikely.
Other names in the frame:
- Michael Carrick (free agent)
- Erik ten Hag (sacked by Bayer Leverkusen in September)
- Brendan Rodgers (mentioned in early rumours)
But Edwards was the priority. His rejection leaves Wolves scrambling.
The Bigger Picture: Survival or Championship?
Eight points from safety after 10 games is uncharted territory—no Premier League side has ever survived from here. Jeff Shi’s Fosun era faces its darkest hour.
Yet hope flickers. Pereira saved them last season with a midwinter miracle. Edwards, with his Wolves blood and proven survival instincts, felt like the spark.
For now, Molineux waits. The January window offers funds, but first, they need a leader who believes.
Rob Edwards believed—at Luton, at Forest Green, now at Middlesbrough. Wolves wanted that belief back home. Boro said no. The search continues.
