Wolves are still searching for a new manager, and Rob Edwards appears to be the club’s new priority, after Gary O’Neil dramatically withdrew from the running last night.
Gary O’Neil had been set to return to Wolves for a second spell, which had set ripples through the fanbase.
But O’Neil then pulled out of the running, with journalist David Ornstein suggesting he felt it wasn’t the right time to return.
There have also been suggestions that O’Neil couldn’t agree working conditions, and that the contract that was on offer didn’t suit.
The Wolves hierarchy will now turn their attention to alternatives.
Robbie Keane applied for the Wolves job and it will be interesting to see if the former striker will be someone the club actually consider.
But seemingly Rob Edwards is now a top contender for the job.
Wolves make Rob Edwards their new top managerial target
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Earlier this week, Edwards was mentioned as a possible option for Wolves.
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He’s been doing a great job at Middlesbrough, who are currently second in the Championship.
🔺 UPDATE: Gary O’Neil has withdrawn from the running to return as head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers less than 11 months after being dismissed by the club
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Now, The Times claim that Edwards has emerged as a top target for Wolves after their failure to land O’Neil.
But the publication say that ‘hefty’ compensation would be required to prise him away, and that Boro are reluctant to lose him.
Both Alex Crook and Ben Jacobs also report the existence of a release clause for Edwards.
What Rob Edwards said about Wolves links
This report comes after Edwards was actually asked about the links to Wolves at his press conference yesterday.
Edwards would not be drawn on the links, saying: “I was told [about the Wolves links] by my daughter yesterday. I can understand the links to my former club, but my full focus is on the brilliant job that I have here.
“It’s hard for me to comment on speculation and anything else that isn’t Middlesbrough Football Club. All I care about is trying to win against Leicester City tomorrow.”
"My full focus is on this job here"
Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has appeared to distance himself from the vacant managerial position at Wolves. pic.twitter.com/6ZYdc6mYFt
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At the moment, the Wolves players are preparing for this weekend’s game with Chelsea, with training being taken by U21s manager James Collins and U18s head coach Richard Walker.
The hope is that Wolves will have someone in place for that game. But it remains to be seen whether that actually happens, with this obviously a huge decision that the board need to carefully consider.