Wolves have made the decision to sack manager Rob Edwards despite the former Middlesbrough manager taking the lead on plans to rebuild the club following relegation this summer.
Edwards, 43, was only appointed in November last year after leaving Boro, who were flying high in the Championship at the time. Despite having failed to inspire a turnaround at the club – Wolves having been relegated from the Premier League in 19th place following a disastrous season – it appeared that the ownership were keen on sticking with him.
The Black Country side had even kicked off their summer business with the signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez, while midfielder Andre had committed his future to the club with Edwards seemingly playing a key role in those deals.
But he has been axed just seven months after his appointment, as per The Telegraph, with Gil Vicente boss César Peixoto expected to be appointed as his replacement.
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The Portuguese coach has been with the side since March last year and has also had spells with Academica, Moreirense and Pacos Ferreira.
Wolves‘ decision is a baffling one given Edwards had played a huge role in the signings of Trippier and Jimenez, both having pointed to his influence in their arrivals. And speaking after the signing of the former Newcastle defender, Edwards appeared to suggest that he was set to be the man to lead the club in their attempts to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
He said: “We have to be up there this season, and I’d rather be there with good players! This doesn’t add any more pressure, it just actually makes me feel better that we’re building a squad that I’ve been banging on about and saying that we’re going to need to do.
View 2 ImagesWolves have already identified Cesar Peixoto as Edwards’ replacement(Image: Getty Images)
“We need to have a better and stronger squad than we had last year because we weren’t able to compete well enough last year, and so we’re working really hard to make sure we’re competitive. Pressure is going to be there anyway because we’re Wolves in the Championship after eight years of Premier League football.
“We know the pressure’s going to be there, but I’d rather have the pressure with players like Tripps and then be able to turn around and know I’ve got a really good and strong group of players behind me.”
Ironically, former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil could also be on the move over the coming days, having been linked with the vacancy at Ipswich Town following the departure of Kieran McKenna.
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