Rob Edwards officially became manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers today. He’ll be taking on a daunting task — heading a bottom of the Premier League table club. Edwards, once manager of Championship side Middlesbrough, resigned from that position to take over a floundering Wolves side. His hope is to bring a new dynamic to the lineup. At 42 years of age, he has plenty of experience to draw from. Having played and coached at Wolves before his advancement to the managerial job,
Edwards didn’t wait around to get his championship staff back together. He’s done some great work in re-establishing the highly promising midfield partnership of Joao Gomes and Andre. Her tactical intelligence and incisive passing add creativity and verve to a developing midfield axis. It’s equally important for the squad’s confidence and cohesiveness moving forward, as they fight their way out of the relegation zone. Personally though, he views his return to Wolves with a sense of duty beyond just being a job. That’s a big lift, one that requires creativity and flexibility.
Wolves’ six new signings in this summer transfer window came from six different nationalities, adding to the multicultural dynamism of their squad. Edwards understands how quickly the game of football is changing, noting that teams need to always be looking for an advantage on the competition. He is committed to helping them mesh well with the players on his team as it exists. Simultaneously, he addresses the challenges that come with having a colorful roster.
Even when the chips were down, Edwards has kept a rosy view on what his team is capable of. There was a lot to like as he reflected on his first few months in office. Nowhere was this more apparent than in their last game against Aston Villa. Despite the disappointing 1-0 loss, Edwards said it was one of the best showings of the year for his Wolves. He highlighted the historic progress on and off the pitch that the independent review found.
In the process, flexibility has become a hallmark of Edwards’ coaching style. And he’s shown no reluctance to switch tactics, using two different formations in as many games. That kind of versatility is key, though, as he tries to invent solutions for the team’s ongoing woes. Edwards believes that adopting a five-at-the-back formation may suit the current strengths of his squad and help them stabilize defensively.
Edwards knows more than most of the challenges advocates have to navigate at this point in a tough campaign. So he knows that even though it’s silly, fans will be incredibly passionate. He is committed to winning back their trust with more attractive and effective performances and results. His long-term vision includes not only navigating the current season but preparing for potential challenges ahead, including the possibility of a Championship season.
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