Key Highlights
- Rob Edwards signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to become Wolves boss.
- Edwards is the 11th manager in 13 years for Wolves and their fifth since Nuno Espirito Santo left in 2021.
- Wolves are currently at the bottom of the Premier League, winless with a slim chance of survival.
- Edwards has experience managing Luton Town through a relegation battle and promoting them to the Premier League.
New Manager Rob Edwards Takes Charge as Wolves Fight for Survival
Nice guy Rob Edwards is out to prove that he won’t finish last with Wolverhampton Wanderers, taking charge of the club in a three-and-a-half-year deal after an unimpressive start in Premier League. The former defender’s name already adorns the wall at Compton, where it sits alongside other Wolves players who have made at least 100 appearances.
Edwards, who will take his first game as manager against Crystal Palace on Saturday (15:00 GMT), is the latest in a long line of managers to have led the club. He follows Bruno Lage, Julen Lopetegui, Gary O’Neil, and Vitor Pereira, all of whom struggled with varying degrees of success.
Wolves’ Struggle for Survival
The team is currently at the bottom of the Premier League table, having scored just four goals from open play. Five consecutive defeats in all competitions and nine from 11 in the Premier League have left Wolves eight points behind 17th-placed Burnley, who beat them 3-2 last month.
Edwards has a tough task ahead, but his past experience managing Luton Town through a relegation battle gives him some valuable insight. He guided the Hatters to a surprise promotion in 2023 and had to contend with the emotional impact of captain Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest on the pitch at Bournemouth.
Connecting with the Squad
Lockyer, now playing for Bristol Rovers, believes Edwards will be able to connect with the Wolves squad and restore their confidence. “He really cares about his players,” said Lockyer. “That was evident in the play-off final when I had to go off and he found out I was all right when he was doing an interview and burst into tears.”
Edwards’ approach is not just about care, though. He’s also a winner who isn’t afraid to flip his lid on occasion, which adds impact when it does happen.
Manager’s Reputation on the Line
The average tenure for current Premier League managers is just 312 days, down from last season’s 439. Edwards has put his reputation on the line by joining this struggling club. “I haven’t joined this club to be gone within a few months,” he said.
Wolves need stability and a manager who can lead them back into contention. With Edwards’ experience, care for players, and winning mentality, there’s hope that he might finally be the right man for the job.
Rob Edwards will be watched closely as Wolves look to avoid relegation in the coming months. The challenge is clear, but with his track record and connection with players, he could just provide the spark needed at Molineux.
