Three years ago Rob Edwards was interviewed by Wolverhampton Wanderers with the club facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Although he missed out on the job to Julen Lopetegui, Edwards had done enough in those talks to impress the Wolves hierarchy and remain on their radar.
His appointment as head coach was confirmed on Wednesday after Wolves, who made their initial approach last Thursday, paid around £3m in compensation to Championship club Middlesbrough.
Edwards, whose ambition to manage the club he served as a player and academy coach never wavered, returns to Molineux where he will face a far more alarming situation than the one he would have encountered in November 2022.
His new club are bottom of the table with just two points. To most neutrals outside the city, Wolves are regarded as relegation certainties.
Fosun International, the Chinese conglomerate that owns the club, is also under heavy scrutiny from a frustrated fanbase.
Many have questioned the wisdom of Edwards’s decision after joining from a club who are second in the Championship and targeting promotion, yet this return was an opportunity the 42-year-old was never going to turn down once he emerged as Wolves’ first-choice target.
His arrival has injected some sorely needed positivity and Fosun regard him as a head coach who can lead the club into a new era. Wolves view Edwards as a long-term appointment even if they are relegated.
Regarded as an excellent coach with fine communication skills, he has also established a reputation for uniting dressing rooms and staff.
He secured his Uefa Pro Licence seven years ago, studying for his badges at the National Football Development Centre in Wales with the likes of Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry and Pep Lijnders.
Out of all the other Wolves candidates, including former manager Gary O’Neil, Edwards had more managerial experience. He also took Luton Town to the Premier League in 2023.
Edwards is expected to appoint the vastly experienced coach Paul Trollope, currently at Southampton, to his backroom staff. Links to Joleon Lescott, another former Wolves player, have been dismissed. Harry Watling, a former Rangers coach, will join from Middlesbrough.
Club ready to strengthen struggling squad
Wolves, who are at the limit for non-homegrown players, have made a move for Conor Coady, the Wrexham defender, who was at Molineux when Edwards was coaching, but sources claim it is highly unlikely.
Funds will be made available for the January transfer window for either permanent or loan signings. The calibre of players will clearly depend on where Wolves are in the table, and if there remains a realistic chance of survival.
While fans will be sceptical, Fosun acknowledges it has made more mistakes in this torrid season.
The absence of Premier League experience is one major error it accepts. None of the six summer signings, aside from Czech Republic international Ladislav Krejci, have impressed.
Fosun also wants to find solutions inside the club without relying on external influences, such as ‘super agent’ Jorge Mendes’s Gestifute agency.
Matt Jackson, the current director of recruitment and player development, is expected to be promoted to the role of sporting director.
Wolves want to establish a clearer strategic plan for the future though, of course, this will cut little ice with supporters right now.
Boro dealt bitter blow by Edwards
Edwards’s exit from Middlesbrough was certainly acrimonious. It was a huge source of anger for the club’s supporters and Steve Gibson, the chairman.
Wolves made their first formal approach on Thursday afternoon, with director of football operations Matt Wild emailing Boro chief executive Neil Bausor direct. Boro swiftly blocked it, declining Wolves permission to speak with Edwards.
The situation then became messy, with Edwards left with no option but to inform the club that he wanted to pursue the opportunity. Boro were furious, considering an official complaint to the Premier League and claiming that Wolves had breached regulations. In reality, it simply became a case of extracting as much compensation as possible.
While negotiations between the two clubs were straightforward from Saturday onwards, the terms of Edwards’s exit and the wording in the contract termination became a huge issue. Details were still being discussed by legal officials on Tuesday. Those issues were finally resolved late on Tuesday night, and Edwards will take his first training session on Wednesday.
Though the situation looks bleak, Edwards still believes he can guide the club to safety with 27 games left and 81 points available. His first match will be at home to Crystal Palace on November 22.
Wolves have annually diced with danger and avoided the drop in recent years: this would surely be their greatest escape yet.