Middlesbrough have swiftly rejected Wolves’ request to speak to Rob Edwards about their vacant managerial position and remain determined not to lose their head coach.
Edwards was appointed on a three-year deal in the summer and has made Boro promotion contenders, but the question now will be how strong is his desire to see that challenge out.
Wolves believe the 42-year old is keen on the task of keeping them in the Premier League, though he may have to quit Boro if he wants to take on that job.
Boro held talks with former boss Gary O’Neil, but he withdrew from the running on Monday.
Instead, Edwards has become the top choice following Vitor Pereira’s dismissal by the Premier League‘s bottom-placed team on Sunday.
Edwards, a former Wolves defender and academy coach, is admired for his coaching record and long-standing ties to the club. He made more than 100 appearances in the West Midlands and later worked in the youth setup before moving into senior management.
Wolves have made a formal move for Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards
Vitor Pereira was dismissed on Sunday – the club have not won in their first 10 league games
Wolves’ hierarchy did want a new appointment in place before Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, with first-team duties currently handled by coaches James Collins and Richard Walker.
The club sit bottom of the Premier League after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham, which proved to be Pereira’s final match in charge.
Asked about the speculation after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester, Edwards kept his focus on Middlesbrough, saying: ‘It’s exactly the same, nothing has changed.
‘As I keep on saying, it’s my wife and my daughter that are keeping me abreast of it all, I’ve not paid any attention to it at all myself. I’m just concentrating on my job here at Middlesbrough. That’s absolutely my only focus.’
Pereira’s departure marked Wolves’ second managerial change in 11 months, leaving the club under pressure to stabilise results ahead of a demanding winter schedule.
Caretakers Collins and Walker will continue preparations for the Chelsea game.