Ex-Blackpool, Derby County and Luton Town figure confirmed in new Premier League role
Former Blackpool defender Rob Edwards has been confirmed as the new Wolves head coach.
Ex-Blackpool defender Rob Edwards has officially departed Middlesbrough to take over at Wolves.
The 42-year-old fills the position left vacant by Vitor Pereira - who was sacked by the Premier League outfit earlier this month, with the club sat bottom of the top flight after picking up just two points in their opening 11 games.
Edwards has penned a three-and-half-year deal to return to Molineux, having spent time there during his playing career.
He departs Middlesbrough after just over four months at the Riverside Stadium, with the North Yorkshire side set to receive a compensation package of between £3million and £4million.
Edwards’ career so far
Edwards started his football career with Aston Villa, making nine first-team appearances for the club.
Following loan spells with Crystal Palace and Derby County, he made the move across the midlands to Wolves - where he spent four years.
The centre back made the move to Blackpool in 2008, and went on to register 67 appearances for the club throughout his three-season stay.
His time on the Fylde Coast coincided with the Seasiders’ promotion to the Premier League under Ian Holloway, and among the substitutes in the 2010 play-off final victory over Cardiff City at Wembley.
The latter stages of his playing career included time with Barnsley, and loan spells with Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town.
Following an interim spell as Wolves coach, Edwards’ first permanent management role was with AFC Telford, before working with England U16s.
He stepped into the EFL with the Forest Green Rovers, before experiencing a short stint with Watford.
Edwards joined Luton Town in 2022 - which coincided with the Hatters reaching the Premier League via the play-offs.
The Bedfordshire outfit were ultimately relegated from the top flight after one season, finishing 18th after picking up just six wins.
Luton’s struggles then continued into the last Championship campaign - which prompted the departure of the ex-Seasiders man shortly after the Christmas period.
This ultimately didn’t change the Hatters’ fortunes, with the club unable to avoid another relegation.
Sharing Blackpool stories
During his time at Kenilworth Road, Edwards briefly worked with ex-Blackpool midfielder Adrian Forbes - who worked with the Hatters younger age groups.
While their time at Bloomfield Road didn’t overlap, the two still shared memories of their respective careers in Tangerine.
“I left and he came in - we laughed about it quite a bit because he stole my roommate and ended up with Ian Evatt,” Forbes told the Gazette in an interview earlier this year.
“We had a good connection. It was great to speak to him about Blackpool, and comparing stories. He’s got a different style of coaching, but I learnt so much from the great man in a real short period of time.
“I didn’t get to work with him at Luton for too long because when he came in it was about six or so months before I moved to the US.”
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