Middlesbrough’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham City on Saturday was overshadowed by news that manager Rob Edwards is ready to quit for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Premier League club is trying to replace the managerial vacancy created by the dismissal of Vitor Pereira.
Despite Boro returning to the second automatic promotion slot after the victory, boosted by Stoke City’s 1-0 loss to Coventry, the club now has the problem of replacing Edwards as they seek a return to the top flight after more than eight years.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Edwards’ exit is inevitable, and Wolves are anticipated to confirm his hiring early next week. Middlesbrough has agreed to a £2 million compensation package to secure his services at the Premier League club.
Edwards is expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract at Molineux, with Wolves set to back him in the January transfer window as he attempts to rescue a struggling side currently at the bottom of the Premier League, with only two points from their first eleven games and eight points adrift of safety.
While £2 million is not trivial, some Middlesbrough fans may believe it is a little figure given the potential consequences of losing their manager mid-season, particularly with the rich prizes of promotion at risk. The transaction shows the power disparity between Premier League clubs and Championship sides, as Wolves had a strong negotiation position despite Edwards’ short tenure at Boro.
Edwards’ decision is also affected by personal links to the Wolves. The 42-year-old spent four years as a player at Molineux, appearing in over 100 games between 2004 and 2008, and has also worked as a coach at the club. That link, combined with the chance to manage in the Premier League, appears to have persuaded him to leave Teesside for the Black Country.
While Middlesbrough had intended to keep a manager who had made a promising start to the season, Wolves’ Premier League position and Edwards’ ambition made the transfer impossible to refuse – highlighting why Championship clubs frequently struggle to retain talented managers.
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