By Martin Graham
Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the arrival of Rob Edwards as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract, following the sacking of Vitor Pereira earlier this month.
Edwards, 42, is leaving Championship rivals Middlesbrough, where he had impressed since taking over in June, to rejoin his former club, who are bottom of the Premier League and eight points from safety.
The former defender made more than 100 appearances for Wolves between 2004 and 2008 and grew up close to Telford, making this move deeply personal. Those close to him say he has long regarded the Molineux job as his highest ambition.
Despite the emotional appeal, Edwards’ decision to swap a promotion push for a relegation fight has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether he can guide Wolves to safety once again.
The challenge of mending divisions
Edwards inherits a club that struggles not only on the field, but behind the scenes as well. Fan anger towards owners Fosun and chief executive Jeff Shi has intensified in recent months, with frustration at management and decision-making spilling into the stands.
To help stabilize things, Edwards will be joined by Harry Watling, his trusted Middlesbrough assistant. Sources suggest Wolves are also exploring additions at the back, with Paul Trollope, Joleon Lescott and current Wrexham player Conor Coady among those being approached for possible roles.
While securing Lescott or Coady looks difficult, the new outlook of Edwards, having been away from Wolves in recent years, is seen as an asset to reconnect with fans and the team.
His appointment also ends speculation about Gary O’Neil, the former manager who was sacked less than a year ago. O’Neil, still under contract with Wolves, withdrew from consideration due to concerns about the club’s internal structure.
A risky return to the front line
Edwards’ return to Premier League management comes with notable risk. His only previous spell in the division came with Luton Town in 2023-24, a campaign that started with promotion but ended with relegation.
He later left Kenilworth Road midway through the following season as the Hatters’ struggles continued. Two top-flight relegations in quick succession would be damaging for any manager, but Edwards remains confident he can turn around Wolves’ fortunes.
Former England striker Alan Shearer described the move as “a big gamble”, highlighting the enormity of the task ahead. But for Edwards, a second chance at Molineux represents more than just a job – it’s a return to where his managerial journey began, having previously guided Wolves Under-23s to a Premier League 2 title in 2019.
The uphill battle for survival
Wolves’ 3-0 defeat by Chelsea last weekend extended their winless streak to 11 league games, equaling the record last seen in 1983-84 when they were relegated. No Premier League side has ever survived from that position, which underlines the enormity of Edwards’ challenge.
The January transfer window will be crucial. If Wolves are still within reach of safety, reinforcements are expected, but the club’s recent recruitment record leaves questions.
High-profile departures from the likes of Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto, Diogo Jota and Max Kilman have weakened the squad, while substitutes have struggled to make an impact. The club’s focus on profits and sustainability has also limited purchasing power.
With few local players currently in the squad, Wolves are hoping to shift to a more balanced model. Targets such as Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, who rejected a summer move to Ipswich, have been mooted, although convincing those players to join a relegation fight may prove difficult.
A club looking for direction
Beyond the first team, the turmoil at Molineux continues. Following Pereira’s sacking, head of professional football Domenico Teti also left, just months after joining. The club can now rely more on Matt Jackson, the director of recruitment and player development, as they assess long-term structural changes.
While Wolves insist this marks the start of a new recruitment cycle, their fifth managerial appointment in four years tells a different story. Stability remains elusive, and Edwards’ tenure could define whether this new “cycle” truly begins or ends in another reset.
For the boy from Telford, the opportunity is personal and dangerous. A reunion with Wolves offers redemption, but only if they can achieve what no team has done before: survive the deepest hole in the Premier League.
