Everything Wolves fans need to know about Cesar Peixoto as Rob Edwards sacked
Cesar Peixoto is expected to be named the new Wolves manager after Rob Edwards was unexpectedly dismissed on Thursday.
The 43-year-old was appointed in November and looked set to lead his former club in the Championship, having been involved in the signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez.
But seemingly out of nowhere, Wolves have taken the decision to sack the 43-year-old and go in a different direction.
Edwards won just five of 30 games and lost 16 while in charge at Molineux, but had produced some better performances in the second half of the season.
Peixoto, 46, is leaving Portuguese side Gil Vicente, where he was appointed in March of 2025.
His team finished sixth in Liga Portugal this season, their highest finish since the 2021-22 season.
Who is new Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto?
A former winger, Peixoto spent almost the entirety of his career in Portugal, save for a season on loan in Spain.
Wolves' next manager was part of Jose Mourinho's Champions League-winning FC Porto side in 2004 and he won the Portuguese top flight four times, also lifting it with Benfica in 2010.
Peixoto's retirement in 2014 was not followed by an immediate journey into management, with his first job coming with Varzim in 2019.
Very brief stints with Coimbra, Cahaves and Moreirense, the Portuguese coach arrived at Pacos Ferreira in 2021. Over two different stints there between 2021 and 2023, he would struggle to produce consistent form and ultimately oversaw relegation in 2023.
Return to Moreirense in 2024 would also end in disappointment, when Peixoto was sacked after a run of just one win in 11.
Success finally arrived for the 46-year-old at Gil Vicente. Having taken his side over when they were fighting relegation at the end of the 2024-25 season, the manager oversaw survival and a stunning turnaround to finish sixth this season.
Gil Vicente's 51 points this season is a tally they have only bettered once in the Portuguese top flight since 2000.
What style of play does Peixoto deploy?
Peixoto's managerial influences explain much about his own ideology. Mourinho is the most notable manager he played under, but the former winger spent much time under Jorge Jesus, too.
The 46-year-old's tactics represent elements of both managers, with an aggressive and compact defensive style certainly picked up from the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss.
Peixoto opts for a high line, however, with his teams having an emphasis on playing out from the back.
Going forward, the Portuguese manager likes to push his attacks out from wide areas, with a strong counter press and focus on winning the ball in high areas.
It remains to be seen how Peixoto's tactics translate to Wolves and indeed, the Championship, and the loss of Edwards has come as a surprise. An already under-pressure ownership now depend on their decision coming good.