Watling could follow Edwards to Wolves.placeholder image
Watling could follow Edwards to Wolves. | Getty Images
Wolves are in talks with Rob Edwards and the manager could bring an ex QPR and Millwall coach into his team at Molineux.
Former QPR, Millwall and West Ham coach Harry Watling is expected to be handed a new opportunity in the Premier League should Rob Edwards be appointed at Wolves.
The Midlands outfit have been in the market for a new manager since the sacking of Vitor Pereira at the start of November. Gary O’Neil had been in talks over a return to the club but those negotiations fell through.
Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards is now expected to take the position at Molineux in a controversial switch. The former Luton Town boss was only appointed at the Riverside Stadium in the summer and Middlesbrough said they were ‘disappointed’ when giving the manager permission to speak to Wolves.
Ex QPR and Millwall coach set to follow Rob Edwards to Wolves
A club statement read: “We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago.
“Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves, subject to completion of the relevant paperwork.”
Edwards’ appointment could work in the favour of Watling. The 35-year-old has been part of the coaching staff at Middlesbrough this season and the Northern Echo reports that Watling is ‘expected’ to head to Molineux with Edwards.
The coach began his career working as an academy coach with Chelsea from 2009 to 2014 and went on to have stints at Millwall and West Ham in the capital before becoming head coach at Hartford Athletic in the United States in 2021.
Who is Harry Watling?
Watling returned to the UK in 2022 and began working at QPR as a first team coach under Michael Beale, who he would then follow to Rangers. While at QPR, the coach was given a strong focus on set pieces.
On arriving at QPR, Watling said: “I am delighted to be here. I am very much a product of Mick in terms of what I believe in and I’m fortunate that we see the game in a similar way. That alignment is so important because, ultimately, we have to carry out the gaffer’s message in terms of what he wants from the players.”
Speaking about working with Watling - as well as fellow assistant Adrian Viveash - at Middlesbrough, Edwards said: “It’s really important [that we don’t always agree on everything]. I encourage that - not just from H or Aidy, but anyone on the staff. If they feel something is important or believe in something, we have to have an environment where people feel comfortable to speak what they feel.
“Especially on a match day, you need that because it needs to be done here and now. It’s action. We’ve had a few of those already at half time where we’ll have a decision to make and someone might think one thing but someone else thinks another thing.
“In the end, I have to make the call. It’s like being a parent then, you’ve got to then make sure everyone is on the same page and saying, ‘that’s that and we all believe in it’. It’s working well so far.”
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