Rob Edwards to Wolves: O’Rourke drops verdict on deal being completed
Wolves are stepping up their search for a new manager less than a week after they opted to sack Vitor Pereira following a disastrous start to the season.
Pereia’s side lost 3-0 to Fulham in what proved to be his final game in the dugout, as his side were left cemented at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag were the early favourites for Wolves, but they have also assessed a number of alternative candidates including former boss Gary O’Neil.
However, Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards is now seen as the front-runner for the job after the latest developments taking place on Teesside.
Edwards seems to be closing in on the Wolves job as he has not taken charge of Boro’s first-team training, with Under-21 coach James Collins filling in for his media duties.
Rob Edwards set to make Wolves manager decision
Football Insider revealed on 6 November that Wolves had opened talks with Edwards to become their next manager and lure him away from Middlesbrough.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Boro have been confident of keeping the boss at the Riverside Stadium, but Edwards could soon be made to make a decision about where his long-term future lies.
Edwards has strong links to Wolves from his time there as a player, and it is believed to be a tempting proposition despite Boro’s confidence.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, you just never know. There’s obvious links between Wolves and Rob Edwards.
“He spent a long time there as a player, so he has got close strong links to Wolverhampton.
“If Wolves were to firm up their interest in him, he would have a decision to make. Obviously, it will depend on what he wants to do.
“Middlesbrough I think have been pretty confident that he will remain at the Riverside. He’s had a really good start to life on Teesside and made a big impact there.
“They really won’t want to lose their manager midway through the season.
“He has got a release clause in there, whether Wolves would be willing to pay that or not that remains to be seen in the coming days.
“It has seems that Middlesbrough are confident that he will stay even if Wolves were to make an approach, but that could always change.”
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 6 November that Edwards is “very keen” on the Wolves job and wants to step back into the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag talks taking place at Molineux
While Edwards appears to be closing in on the job as things stand, Wolves have not stopped assessing other candidates, with Ten Hag still a top option on their list.
Football Insider revealed on 7 November that Wolves have held talks with Ten Hag in what would be seen as a “huge coup” if they could reach an agreement.
The 55-year-old is interested in speaking to Wolves about the job, and contact has already been made at Molineux to assess the possibility of him taking over.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 4 November that Wolves have spoken to Ten Hag’s representatives about taking over from Pereira.
While there are still doubts about whether he will become the next Wolves manager, and the club are still assessing other options, Ten Hag is firmly in the running.
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