Fresh update emerges on Rob Edwards' Middlesbrough future ahead of Birmingham City clash | OneFootball

Rob Edwards' Middlesbrough future has been the subject of speculation amid interest from Wolves

Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards has reportedly been stood down from his management duties of the club ahead of Birmingham City's visit to the Riverside Stadium of Saturday afternoon.

According to The Northern Echo, crunch talks were held between the Championship club and the 42-year-old as they sought answers over his future due to interest from his former club Wolves.

And it has since been reported by Alex Crook of talkSPORT that despite Edwards wanting to take charge of Boro for the visit of Blues, the club do not believe it is in his best interests to do so, and have stood the ex-Wales international defender down as he looks likely to move on to Molineux.

The 42-year-old coach was appointed by the Teesside outfit in the summer following Michael Carrick’s dismissal, and he’s made a bright start to life at the Riverside.

Middlesbrough are third in the table as we approach the November international break, with the team firmly in the mix for automatic promotion.

Boro are aiming to earn a place in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, but interest from Wolves is causing a huge distraction behind the scenes.

Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards stance heading into Birmingham City clash

It’s believed that Middlesbrough have not granted Wolves permission to speak with Edwards over potentially taking over at Molineux as of now, despite the reports that the club have refused to let him take charge of Birmingham's visit to the North East.

The Premier League side have made an approach to Boro, but it has been rejected with the understanding that the club have no intention of letting the former Luton Town boss go.

Edwards did not take training on Friday, and his usual pre-match press conference was also cancelled, which further fuelled speculation over his departure.

Middlesbrough reportedly held talks with the manager on Friday afternoon following these developments, as they seek assurances over his future, but with just hours to go until kick-off on Teesside against Chris Davies' Blues, it now looks like he won't be doing his job.

It has been reported that Edwards is Wolves’ top target to take the role following Vitor Pereira’s dismissal last weekend.

The 42-year-old spent four years as a player with the Midlands outfit from 2004 to 2008, making over 100 appearances for the club in that time.

He previously managed in the Premier League through his time at Luton, having guided the Hatters to promotion in 2023.

Middlesbrough will be hoping he stays at the Riverside and achieves that feat again, but it remains to be seen whether that will come to fruition.

Middlesbrough can’t let Rob Edwards situation drag on much longer

The Birmingham clash today comes at an awful time for Boro, and the club's reported decision to not have him on the touchline is a brave, but perhaps necessary one.

The timing is extremely bad given the importance of this game, as the Blues are in fine form and Edwards’ side are starting to falter a little.

However, the international break does immediately follow, which will give Middlesbrough some breathing room to iron out what’s going on.

The opportunity to manage Wolves could be a poisoned chalice, but it’s still unsurprising that Edwards could consider a Premier League role, so it could prove difficult to convince him to stay.