Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked head coach Rob Edwards after the club’s relegation from the Premier League, Sky Sports News understands.
Edwards only took charge at Molineux in November, replacing Vitor Pereira, but the 43-year-old was unable to prevent the club from dropping down to the Championship.
Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League with Edwards winning five and losing 16 of his 30 matches in all competitions, losing 16.
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Highlights of Edwards’s last game in charge of Wolves, a draw at Burnley
Edwards and Wolves’ coaching staff were shocked to hear the news late on Wednesday night and angry with the way it was conveyed to them.
They had no indication Edwards’s sacking was imminent and had been preparing for next season in the Championship as usual, excited by the recent signings of experienced Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier and former Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, both on free transfers.
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Edwards had passionately called for a summer rebuild at Wolves after an ’embarrassing’ season at Molineux
Gil Vicente coach Cesar Peixoto, who guided the club to an impressive sixth-place finish in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season, will replace Edwards at the club.
‘Timing and manner of Edwards exit a shock’
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate:
Given that Rob Edwards won only three of his 27 Premier League matches in charge of Wolves this past season as the club finished bottom of the table, his summer departure might not seem a big surprise. But the timing and manner of his exit is still a shock.
Towards the end of the campaign, Edwards was on the receiving end of abuse from supporters, most notably at home to Sunderland. Fans were aggrieved at his departure down the tunnel, having previously said he would always acknowledge them at the end.
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Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge tracks the gradual decline of Wolves
At that stage, the relationship appeared utterly fractured, but the mood at Molineux has changed in a matter of weeks. The signing of former England international Kieran Trippier signalled intent and the return of club hero Raul Jimenez brought genuine joy.
Even now, Trippier’s words are on Wolves’ website, revealing how he “felt that chemistry straight away with the manager” – meaning Edwards. “I don’t think we could have had a better start to the summer with what we’re trying to do,” declared Edwards himself.
Instead, unbeknownst to him and his staff, moves were afoot to sack the head coach, with Portuguese coach Cesar Peixoto lined up to replace him. While many fans were unimpressed with Edwards, the reaction is one of uncertainty rather than excitement.
Bringing in experienced players, along with holding on to key midfielder Andre, appeared part of a positive but pragmatic approach to their Championship return. Edwards, with his experience of promotion at that level, seemed to fit in with that sensible strategy.
There will be optimism Peixoto will work too. But some concerns as well.
Peixoto is undeniably a gamble, abandoning the mantra that the club had maintained for much of the year – that Edwards, along with technical director Matt Jackson, had been planning for months to ensure that Wolves were ahead of the game this summer.
Wolves have had success before with coaches from Portugal, although Nuno Espirito Santo had rather more obvious pedigree when he took them up from the Championship eight years ago. There will be optimism this will work too. But some concerns as well.
