Rob Edwards was on holiday abroad when he saw reports on social media that César Peixoto was about to take over as Wolves head coach. The 43-year-old manager, who had signed a three-and-a-half-year deal in November and led the club to relegation after winning just five of 30 games, first learned his job was in jeopardy from the online rumours. Late on Wednesday night, Edwards' camp contacted the club to ask about the speculation, and on Thursday morning the club confirmed his sacking in a phone call.
The decision left even senior club staff stunned. Just last month, technical director Matt Jackson had publicly stated that the hierarchy was aligned in supporting Edwards as they looked to rebuild the squad for the Championship. Edwards had been instrumental in planning for next season: he helped sign Kieran Trippier on a free from Newcastle and featured in the video announcing Raúl Jiménez's return. He recently attended a fans' forum outlining the need for a cultural reset after relegation.
“Rob Edwards learned of his impending sacking as Wolves head coach via social media while on holiday.”
"There were assurances that it would be a long-term plan but I'm aware, like anyone, that when you go into this job it is a results-based business," Edwards said last month. "I would've come here if this club was in the National League, I wanted to be here."
Wolves announced Edwards' departure with a statement saying a "comprehensive review" concluded that "a change in leadership is necessary as Wolves enters the next stage of its development." The club acknowledged the "significant challenges" Edwards faced and paid tribute to his "commitment and professionalism," but added that "a different sporting direction would provide the strongest platform for future success." His assistants Harry Watling and Paul Trollope are also leaving.
The club is poised to appoint the Portuguese head coach César Peixoto, 46, who led Gil Vicente to sixth in Portugal's Primeira Liga last season. Peixoto, who has managed only in Portugal, is represented by the Gestifute agency fronted by Jorge Mendes – the same agency with a close relationship to Wolves' Chinese owner Fosun. The executive chairman, Nathan Shi, called the decision "extremely difficult" and said Wolves paid £4m in compensation to Middlesbrough for Edwards last November. "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," Shi said.