Neil Warnock left 'surprised' at something Wolves did over the summer | OneFootball

Wolves' decision to replace Rob Edwards with Cesar Peixoto this summer came as a shock to Neil Warnock.

Former EFL manager Neil Warnock has admitted he was surprised that Wolverhampton Wanderers parted company with Rob Edwards this summer.

Wolves were relegated from the Premier League last season after a nightmare campaign that saw them pick up just 20 points, and it has been a big summer of change at Molineux as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

Wolves make big Rob Edwards, Cesar Peixoto call ahead of Championship return

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After a horror start to last season, Wolves sacked Vitor Pereira in early November and replaced him with Edwards, who left his role with Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough to return to the club where he previously spent four years as a player.

Edwards lost his first seven games in charge, but he oversaw a gradual improvement in the second half of the season, including memorable home victories over Aston Villa and Liverpool, albeit it was not enough to prevent his side's relegation.

It looked as though Edwards would be given the chance to bring Wolves back to the Premier League at the first attempt, but despite featuring heavily in announcement videos and press releases surrounding the signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez, he was dismissed in June.

Wolves wasted no time in appointing Edwards' successor, with Cesar Peixoto taking over at Molineux after leading Gil Vicente to a sixth-placed finish in the Portuguese top flight last season.

There are still over two weeks remaining in the transfer window, but the Midlands outfit have largely kept hold of their key players this summer, with midfielder Joao Gomes the only high-profile sale so far after departing for Aston Villa in a £38 million deal, while striker Tolu Arokodare has joined Ajax on a season-long loan with a buy option worth £17 million plus add-ons.

Neil Warnock issues verdict on controversial Rob Edwards, Wolves situation

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Warnock, who won promotion to the top flight of English football on four occasions during his illustrious managerial career, has revealed that he was shocked to see Edwards lose his job, but he still expects Wolves to challenge at the top of the table this season, along with fellow relegated sides Burnley and West Ham United.

"There’s some good teams in there this season," Warnock told The Athletic.

"You’ve always got to look at the three teams who have come down, even though I was surprised Wolves changed their manager. But, as always happens in the Championship, someone will emerge strongly.

"Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Southampton, Norwich… one of them will come out and have a real go. I don’t see much beyond those teams we’ve just mentioned. There are plenty with potential, so who really knows?

"That’s the beauty of the Championship. It’s why we all love it so much."

Wolves have taken a huge gamble with bold Cesar Peixoto decision

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Given that Wolves already looked doomed to relegation at the time of his arrival, many assumed that Edwards had been appointed with the Championship in mind, particularly as his Middlesbrough side were second in the table at the time of his exit.

It is unclear how much of a role Edwards played in the signings of Trippier and Jimenez, but the fact that he was sacked after the club brought in two such high-profile additions only increased the surprise at the decision.

Peixoto's appointment is certainly a risk as he has never previously managed in English football, but it seems the 46-year-old has made a positive early impression on the Molineux faithful, and with one of the best squads in the division at his disposal, his side should be one of the main promotion contenders this season.