Middlesbrough’s head of football, Kieran Scott, claimed he felt ‘let down’ by Rob Edwards after he left for Wolves last season.

Edwards was named Teesside’s new head coach in June 2025, but he opted to depart in November after joining Wolves to replace Vitor Pereira.

Edwards was in charge of only 14 Borough games, the last of which was a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, which left the team third in the league.

Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough Records (Source: Transfermarkt)

Games

Results: 8 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses, and a GD of +2.

So his choice to leave for a Wolves side that appeared destined for relegation was not well received, even if he had a connection to the club, having played and then worked at Molineux after retiring.

Kieran Scott analyses Rob Edwards’ transfer from Middlesbrough to Wolves.

While Middlesbrough fans expressed their displeasure with Edwards, the Riverside Stadium administration has typically remained silent on the issue.

However, speaking to BBC Tees, Boro’s head of football Scott revealed Edwards’ decision to go, admitting he did not see it coming.

“I won’t lie, it came as a surprise. I believe we provided Rob and his staff an excellent opportunity to begin their careers with us, so dealing with a club approaching after, I believe, 15 or 14 games, I mean, there was no desire on our part to let him leave.

“Steve, Neil, and I were extremely powerful in that, but the wolves refused to go away. They wanted to keep coming, but he had turned his head.

“I was just thinking, we’re not best friends anymore, and he ain’t coming over for tea!

“Betrayed is a strong word, I suppose. I felt let down because I believed the club, Steve, and Neil would give him the same opportunity as I did, but he is someone I’ve worked with and known for a long time.

“I felt that it was a massive opportunity for him at such a big club, and we were ready to back him and really kick on, and, yeah, to lose him that quickly, and in the manner (we did), I wouldn’t say that it was an ideal start to the season.”

Middlesbrough improved under Kim Hellberg.

Middlesbrough suffered a significant disruption last year, and Edwards’ departure had the potential to wreck their season.

But, to the credit of the board and Kim Hellberg, the decision to go with the Swede was inspired, as he took over Edwards’ squad and improved it.

The days of Edwards will seem like a distant memory, and fans will be relieved to have Hellberg in charge, as he plays a more appealing style of game, and they will believe promotion to the Premier League is a real possibility this season.

That’s not to diminish Edwards’ start at Riverside Stadium, but it was just 14 games, and there were questions about whether it was sustainable.

Edwards may regret leaving Middlesbrough, and especially the way he did, because it harmed his reputation in the game, and he has already left Wolves.

Wanderers’ relegation was not down to the ex-Luton manager, but he had a poor record in the dugout at Molineux, and new chairman Nathan Shi chose to bring his own man in over the summer, even if those outside Molineux thought it was a harsh decision.