Rob Edwards learned he was losing his job at Wolves from social media before the club finally confirmed his sacking on Thursday morning. The head coach, appointed just seven months ago, first saw reports that Cesar Peixoto could take over at Molineux, prompting his camp to ask the club late on Wednesday night. Wolves then informed Edwards of his departure, along with assistants Harry Watling and Paul Trollope. In a statement, the club said that after a comprehensive review, “a change in leadership is necessary as Wolves enters the next stage of its development.” Edwards, who won only five of 30 games as Wolves finished bottom of the Premier League, had recently acknowledged the scale of the failure. “We’re the worst team in the league,” he said at a Q&A hosted by BBC Radio WM last month. “That’s the bottom line.” Technical director Matt Jackson had voiced support for Edwards just weeks ago, saying “If there isn’t alignment here, we’re dead in the water.” But the club had already begun planning for the Championship, signing Kieran Trippier on a free from Newcastle and bringing Raul Jimenez back after his Fulham contract expired.
While Wolves prepare for Peixoto’s arrival – the Portuguese coach guided Gil Vicente to sixth in the Primeira Liga – Crystal Palace are putting the finishing touches on a deal to make Lens manager Pierre Sage their new head coach. The 47-year-old Frenchman took charge at Lens 12 months ago, led them to second in Ligue 1 and delivered the club’s first Coupe de France triumph in 120 years. Palace had been keen on Andoni Iraola, but he signed a two-year deal with Liverpool; they also discussed Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna and Sean Dyche. Sage’s style of football is expected to appeal to supporters, and his English is said to be good enough to settle quickly at Selhurst Park. The Eagles, who won the Uefa Conference League and will play Europa League football next season, face a tricky summer. The future of France forward Jean-Philippe Mateta is unresolved as he enters the final year of his contract, England midfielder Adam Wharton has attracted interest from other clubs, and Palace have offered a new deal to Daichi Kamada, whose contract expired at the end of last season.
“Wolves sacked Rob Edwards after he learned of his fate on social media, while Crystal Palace close in on Pierre Sage.”