Middlesbrough have made a manager with “an impressive CV” a top target to replace Rob Edwards, and it would be a “significant coup” if they manage to complete a deal.
Edwards confirmed as Wolves boss as Middlesbrough receive £3m
Wolves confirmed the appointment of Rob Edwards as their new head coach on a three-and-a-half year contract on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old left Riverside and agreed a contract until 2029 with the Wanderers after sacking Vitor Pereira earlier this month. It is reported that Boro will receive around £3million in compensation after Edwards only joined them in June on a three-year deal.
Edwards, who managed Luton in the Premier League, begins a fourth spell at Wolves after making 111 appearances as a player and spending time as manager and caretaker boss. He will be joined by assistant head coach Harry Watling after the pair worked together at Middlesbrough, with the rest of his backroom squad expected to be confirmed in the near future.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “I know Rob very well and have seen his development in different 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 awareness, but after accepting first-team positions he began to develop his own identity, character and leadership.
“We need to refresh the whole club with the philosophy of a new manager, bringing his own identity and ideas, and we can build on that. We are in a new chapter for the club and Rob will be a key part of that.”
For Boro, it is now a matter of finding a quick replacement as they aim to continue their Championship promotion without Edwards.
Middlesbrough make Steven Gerrard a target for top managers
As reported by Rousing the Kop and journalist Graeme Bailey, Steven Gerrard is among Middlesbrough’s top targets to replace Edwards.
Steve Gibson is a long-time admirer of the former Rangers and Aston Villa boss, who is unemployed after leaving Al-Ettifaq in January.
Gerrard almost returned to Ibrox last month and is open to a return to the dugout, with a move to Riverside something he might like.
Bailey said: “Gerrard is highly regarded by Boro, he has an impressive CV and it would be a big move to land him, but it’s not clear they could put the package together to persuade him to move to the North East. »
Gerrard was never successful in the league, with his most successful period as manager coming in Scotland, winning the league title with Rangers.
|
Steven Gerrard’s managerial career |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Club |
Games |
Points per game |
|
Rangers |
192 |
2.15 |
|
Villa Aston |
40 |
1.18 |
|
Al-Ettifaq |
55 |
1.33 |
The 45-year-old primarily plays a 4-3-3 attacking system and is closing in on 300 games as a coach. Could this reference come to the Riverside?
