WOLVES have announced Rob Edwards as their new head coach.
The former Middlesbrough boss has joined as the replacement for Vitor Pereira, who was sacked following the defeat to Fulham.
Wolves initially identified former manager Gary O’Neil as his successor but he withdrew from the running.
They then settled on Edwards, a former Wolves player, but were knocked back in their first approach by Boro.
But after Edwards failed to take training or appear at his pre-match press conference over the weekend, he was allowed to speak to the Prem side.
He has now penned a three-and-a-half-year contract as manager.
Wolves chariman Jeff Shi said of the appointment: “I know Rob very well and I have seen his growth in different jobs.
“He’s 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 he took first-team jobs he started to grow his own identity, character and leadership.
“We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy, bringing his own identity and ideas, and we can build on that. We are at a new chapter for the club and Rob will be a key piece of that.”
Edwards will be joined by Harry Watling, who follows him from Teeside as assistant head coach.
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Boro shared their own statement last week confirming they had given permission for Edwards to speak to Wolves.
It read: “Middlesbrough Football Club have, subject to the completion of an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, given head coach Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves.
“We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago.
“Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves, subject to completion of the relevant paperwork.
“First team coaches Adi Viveash and Harry Watling, and Academy manager Craig Liddle, will take charge of team affairs for Saturday’s game against Birmingham City at the Riverside.”
