Rob Edwards: Wolves sack head coach after seven months in charge at Molineux

Wolves have sacked head coach Rob Edwards after the club's relegation from the Premier League.

Edwards only took charge at Molineux in November, replacing Vitor Pereira on a three-and-a-half year deal, but the 43-year-old was unable to prevent the club from dropping down to the Championship after eight years in the top flight.

Cesar Peixoto, currently in charge of Portuguese club Gil Vicente, is set to replace Edwards.

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Sky Sports News has been told Edwards and his coaching staff were shocked to hear the news late on Wednesday night and are angry with the way it was conveyed to them.

They had been preparing for next season in the Championship as usual, excited by the recent signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez.

Sky Sports News has contacted Wolves for a response.

Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League, 21 points from safety, with Edwards winning five and losing 16 of his 30 matches in charge in all competitions.

Trippier told the club's official podcast after signing: "I had a good chat with the manager and what struck me first was how passionate he was for helping the club move forward to get out of the Championship next season.

"I felt that chemistry straight away with the manager."

Speaking after the signing of Jimenez earlier this week, Edwards was clearly still planning for the new campaign.

"Hopefully they [the fans] believe more in what we're trying to do, but there's a lot more we've still got to do and there'll be more to come," he said.

"We know things need to improve and we're working really hard to try and do that as quickly as possible. The challenge from those above me is that we need to get promoted again.

"The signings we're making at the moment will be ticking one box and there's more to be done, but then the results and how we start the season is what matters."

Meanwhile, Wolves executive chairman Nathan Shi told the club website: "This has been an extremely difficult decision. Following the end of the season, we undertook a thorough review of every aspect of the football operation.

"This process involved careful consideration of many factors and extensive reflection on what we believe is required to help the club progress over the coming years.

"Our decision was not about character, professionalism or dedication. It was about determining what we believe gives Wolves the strongest opportunity to move forward from a sporting perspective.

"While there were positive signs and areas of progress, we ultimately concluded that a different football direction would better align with the style, identity and level of competitiveness we want to establish at the club.

"It would have been easier to continue with what was familiar. However, leadership is not about choosing the easiest path, but about making the difficult decisions we believe are right for the future of the football club which will put Wolves on the strongest platform to move forward."

'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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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.

How Wolves paid the price for poor recruitment with humiliating relegation

Sky Sports' Adam Bate:

Down with five games to go, the reality is that Wolves' relegation has been coming since at least the start of this campaign. They lost their first six games and never did managed to clamber their way off the bottom of the table let alone outside of the bottom three.

So inevitable has it seemed for so long that it is probably worth pointing out just what a miserable effort this has been. Derby's record of the worst points total has been avoided but they were a newly promoted side, as were Southampton last season.

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