Middlesbrough block Wolves’ move for manager Rob Edwards | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have rejected an official approach from Wolverhampton Wanderers to speak with manager Rob Edwards, amid the Premier League club’s ongoing search for a replacement for the sacked Vitor Pereira, BBC Sport has reported.

Sources confirm that Wolves, currently bottom of the Premier League with just two points from ten matches, identified Edwards as their leading candidate following Gary O’Neil’s decision to withdraw from consideration earlier this week. However, Middlesbrough, who sit third in the Championship, are determined to retain their manager and have refused Wolves’ request to open talks.

Appointed at the Riverside Stadium in June, Edwards has quickly revitalised Boro’s promotion hopes, and the club is understood to be seeking a significant compensation package should Wolves attempt to prise him away.

The 42-year-old, who made over 100 appearances for Wolves as a player between 2004 and 2008, also served as a coach and briefly as interim manager in 2016. His managerial résumé includes guiding Luton Town to the Premier League for the first time in their history in 2023.

Wolves, eight points adrift of safety, travel to Chelsea this weekend still without a permanent manager. Their pursuit of Edwards now appears in jeopardy, with Middlesbrough standing firm in their resolve to keep one of English football’s most promising young coaches.

GFN | Finn Entwistle