Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly sacked Rob Edwards, with the decision made without direct contact with the head coach.
Despite relegation from the Premier League and some supporters being against Edwards remaining at Molineux, everything pointed to the Englishman being backed by the club’s hierarchy.
When the signings of Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez were announced earlier this week, Edwards gave in depth interviews to the club’s official website, acknowledging his excitement. The Jimenez reunion was announced late on Tuesday night.
Less than 24 hours later, reports began to emerge that Gil Vicente boss Cesar Peixoto had agreed a deal to become Wolves’ new manager.
How did Edwards find out?
According to Football Insider correspondent Pete O’Rourke, Edwards was not aware that plans had been made to remove him from the Wolves dugout.
The report alleges that family members saw rumours of the development on social media, subsequently leading Edwards to contact Wolves. Only then was he informed that he had been sacked after just 30 matches in charge.
Wolves are expected to confirm the appointment of Peixoto , who guided Gil Vicente to a sixth placed finish in Primeira Liga last season in due course. He will leave the Portuguese side with a record of 16 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats from 46 matches.
Wolves deserve outrage
While there was an argument that Edwards could have been sacked after only delivering 18 points from 27 Premier League matches, the Wolves hierarchy have spoken with unity in recent weeks.
The contract extension of Andre ended most speculation over Edwards’s future, as did the way the 43 year old has been involved in all club media regarding the Trippier and Jimenez signings.
Edwards was clearly not aware that negotiations were advanced with Peixoto. Wolves effectively going behind his back is not sitting well with the club’s supporters.
‘A family club’
This was Edwards’s dream job. He has worked with owners Fosun International in the past. He expressed a desire to leave Middlesbrough, who he had only just joined, once Wolves came knocking.
Football is a results business, but Wolves pride themselves as a family club. They consistently speak about ‘being a pack’. The manner of Edwards’s sacking goes completely against their values.
Not only that, the club have damaged their reputation for a manager who has only worked in Portugal and has done little to prove his credentials for a Wolves rebuilding campaign in the Championship.
Would Trippier have committed to Wolves had he known that Peixoto was being appointed?
Wolves’ fanbase deserve answers. Whether they get them is another matter.
The bottom line
A manager who gave in depth interviews about new signings on Tuesday. Sacked by Wednesday. And he found out from a family member who saw it on social media.
That’s not how you treat a head coach. That’s not how you treat anyone.
Wolves pride themselves on being a family club. ‘A pack.’ But packs don’t stab their own in the back and let them find out from a relative scrolling through Twitter.
Edwards deserved better. Wolves’ reputation has taken a hit. And the fans deserve answers they probably won’t get.
