Rob Edwards says his decision to leave Middlesbrough was “one of the toughest” of his career, but he wouldn’t have left for any club except Wolves.
Edwards was announced as Wolves’ new head coach on Wednesday, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club where he played between 2004 and 2008 and also served as interim manager.
However, he left Middlesbrough just over five months after taking charge in June, having guided the club to second place in the Championship.
Edwards left after just fifteen games in the second division. His decision to swap Boro for Wolves, who are bottom of the Premier League without a win, was greeted by a backlash.
However, the 42-year-old explained that the opportunity to play in the dugout at Wolves was one he could not refuse.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my career,” Edwards said in a statement on Instagram. “To be honest, I hadn’t thought about leaving Middlesbrough for another club.
“Wolves is a special club for me. It’s where I’ve grown as a player and as a coach; it’s still where my family belongs. It’s always been my dream to come back, and these opportunities don’t come around that often.
“Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I would like to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to manage this side. It is a great group of players who I sincerely hope and believe will deliver success this season.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of the environment we built together and how it all came together so quickly: the players, the staff and the fans, who drive it all.
“I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the best for the rest of the season and beyond.”
Edwards takes over at Wolves, with the club sitting on two points in the Premier League and currently eight points from safety having lost their last four games.
Wolves remain winless in the Premier League (D2 L9) this season, with this being only their second league match in the club’s history. They fail to win any of their first eleven games after 1983–84, a season in which they were relegated from the top flight.
Edwards’ first game in charge is at home to Crystal Palace on November 22.
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