The first words from Rob Edwards and Jeff Shi now, with the appointment marking a “new chapter” for Wolves following the departure of Vitor Pereira.
Edwards resigned from Middlesbrough to become the new head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half year contract, marking his fourth spell at the club.
The Telford-born former defender, who made 111 appearances for Wolves between 2004 and 2008, returns after leading Boro to second place in the Championship.
Chairman Jeff Shi praised Edwards as “talented, someone who knows the club, the city and the fans” to bring a new philosophy in the hope of repositioning the Wolves.
Welcome back Rob Edwards
https://t.co/wev3xlkSk0 pic.twitter.com/ayefCHi64R
– Wolves (@Wolves) November 12, 2025
Rob Edwards returns. pic.twitter.com/7l7eCTBTYi
– Wolves (@Wolves) November 12, 2025
EXPLANATION OF THE WOLVES:
Rob Edwards is Wolves’ new head coach after signing a three-and-a-half year deal to begin his fourth spell at the club.
The former Old Gold defender has made an impressive move into management in recent years, securing promotions – to the Premier League – with Forest Green Rovers and Luton Town, while enjoying a positive start to the Championship season with Middlesbrough.
Edwards was born in Telford and his affinity with Wolves began in 2004. He played 111 times for the club over four seasons, primarily in central defense under Mick McCarthy.
Edwards, who won 15 caps for Wales, later played for Blackpool – where he won promotion to the Premier League as a player – and Barnsley, and took his first steps as a coach with Wolves’ U18s in 2014.
Within a year he was working as first team coach under Kenny Jackett and in October 2016 he took charge of two first team games on an interim basis following Walter Zenga’s spell at Molineux.
After initial experience in senior management at AFC Telford United, Edwards returned to Wolves as U23 head coach and secured the club’s first promotion to the top youth football league.
A spell as a coach with the Football Association followed, as well as a first senior management title at Forest Green after winning the League Two title in 2022, before a brief spell at Watford.
At Luton, Edwards made it into the Premier League for the first time after successfully leading the Hatters through the Championship play-offs in May 2023 and earning high praise in the top flight.
Now Edwards returns to Wolves after making a positive start to the season with Middlesbrough, leaving them second in the Championship.
Jeff Shi said: “I know Rob very well and have seen his development in various jobs. He is a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented. When he was a youth coach here he showed his tactical sense, but after taking jobs in the first team he started to develop his own identity, character and leadership skills.”
“We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy and bring his own identity and ideas and we can build on that. We are in a new chapter for the club and Rob will play a key role in that.”
Matt Jackson said: “Rob and his staff have proven before that they can be really good at changing culture, quickly instilling confidence in players and laying the foundations for a really positive future. He loves being on the pitch and creating change in a team by adopting the tactics of different situations.”
“The energy he brings off the field is something we need to bring onto the pitch. We need to be realistic about where we are and we definitely need to be held accountable. We need to quickly instill that belief in the players now and believe Rob will be great culturally for the whole football club.”
Edwards will be joined at the club by Harry Watling, who will take on the role of deputy head coach. After nine years in academy football, Watling gained managerial experience at Hartford Athletic in the USA and Ebbsfleet United last year before joining Edwards’ team at Middlesbrough. Additional backroom staff will be confirmed in the near future.
The favorites for the position of new Middlesbrough coach Rob Edwards have now been determined at Wolves
MORE FROM JEFF SHI:
Chairman Jeff Shi believes Rob Edwards has the skills, personality and knowledge required to lead the Wolves into a new chapter as head coach.
Edwards has returned to Wolves for a fourth spell, this time as a permanent head coach, and it is hoped his past at the club and experience from four full-time senior management roles elsewhere will now be an asset at Molineux.
Shi, who has worked with Edwards during two of his last three spells at the club, says he has watched his development as a coach and now insists the entire club will get behind the new head coach as they move forward into a new era.
When greeting Edwards back
“Nine years ago, Rob helped us a lot in Paul Lambert’s team and he coached the first team for two games. We tried to get him into the first team after Nuno arrived – we didn’t succeed, but I always appreciated his talent as a coach from the start, when he was a youth coach.”
“He left us for several years and was very successful in various professions and sometimes I think it is the fate of life. He is back with us and I am very happy because it is not easy to bring an old friend to lead the club and start a new chapter for the whole club.”
At the beginning of an exciting new chapter
“I think the club should have a fresh start. In the past we have sometimes tried to renew the old cycle, but at the moment I feel that we need to refresh the whole club and the philosophy, but without a new coach we cannot do that because he will bring his own identity and his own ideas. Almost ten years have passed since the takeover in 2016, we are in a new chapter and Rob will be a key member of that.”
About how Edwards is the right man
“I know him very well and have seen his development. I have seen his achievements in various jobs. He is a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented. As a youth coach he showed tactical sense, but after taking jobs in the first team he started to develop his own identity, character and leadership qualities.”
“Rob will bring new things to the club and I think we really have the basis to work as a whole club – every member of staff will be connected to the first team and the whole club will support the first team to deliver and with him we have the basis to do that.”
On crucial skills and experiences
“He communicates very, very well and makes it clear what he wants. He is still young and has a humble heart to work with us. It is sometimes difficult to find a coach who is good at his job but also willing to think about the long-term growth of the club. I hope he can be the next one who really brings all the elements of his personality and abilities.”
“Working at different clubs helps you adapt better to different environments, which is a key skill for every coach in the world. In different clubs you face different challenges and that makes you more versatile. For a coach’s job, there are new challenges every day, so it will be very good for him to gain multiple experiences in different areas.”
Within the appointment of Rob Edwards as the new #Wolves Head coach.
why Edwards was the No. 1 target
#Boro Fury
Coady & Trollope in sight
Fosun accepts “mistakes”
January window
A new chapter for Wolves?https://t.co/nyHCEQvmXD— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) November 12, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted to Rob Edwards and Jeff Shi’s first words as the appointment marked a “new chapter” for Wolves…
@AA_Richards: Quite the opposite of what any sensible club does, as the constant changing of coaches and switching back and forth between identities/philosophies ultimately leads to the mess Wolves currently find themselves in! #WWFC
@FChungSport: For me, Rob Edwards going to Wolves not only has the flavor of his character, but for me he also accepts that the Wolves are down and will have a shot at the Champs next year. Fascinating logic and very fascinating appointment #WWFC #MFC
@dinglette1972: We all know that things are not looking good for the club at the moment and we all know where the blame lies. Rob Edwards has come home and is now our gaffer. He has a huge task ahead of him. As fans, all we can do is stand behind him and hope for the best. Welcome back RE #wwfc
@wvBuckley: Nobody certainly expects him to keep us informed. I don’t think anyone could at this point. But I think it’s a fantastic appointment for someone who can rebuild us in the Championship and come out stronger.
@MolineuxExpress: I don’t know why, but just from watching this video, this step just feels right. Togetherness in the club could return. Give Rob Edwards the support and he CAN turn the Wolves around. And if he doesn’t, he can give the Wolves a good chance of coming back the first time around. #wwfc
@jemull_: All the fans say “get ready for the worst football you’ve ever seen” like we’ve been watching some great stuff in the last 7 months We’re terrible boys, stop trying to outwit us #wwfc
@seututon1985:
Absolute chancer! Throw the bingo card…
1. We are a family
2. We are in this together
3. This is a huge club
Get well soon
@Itismesilly: The look on his face is the same one any of us would have if we had just gotten the job of our dreams at our club. The reaction of the employees also speaks for itself. If you can’t support this (one of our own), stay home! GOOD LUCK ROB #wwfc
@ozrubyslippers: Any @Wolves update must be done WITHOUT Jeff Shi. Fire him @Fosun_Intl. Immediately. A top-flight football league with Rob Edwards, Conor Coady and Joleon Lescott that knows the game, has Wolves’ interests at heart and has major, overdue investment? I could do that. #wwfc
@TheKevinLeslie: Look at that smile, he’s happy to be home. I wish him much success and hope that he receives the necessary support from the board. #RobEdwards #wwfc
@CJ_7171: I would never have appointed Edwards in a million years and it perfectly sums up how far the Chinese crooks have brought us, but he is one of us and wants to be here. Good luck getting another 10 points Rob, you’re going to need it kid. I still need the dictator damned dismissed ghost #wwfc #shiout
