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Former Huddersfield Town coach Carlos Corberan says his commitment to Valencia "is the absolute maximum" after being heavily linked with Middlesbrough.
At the time of going to press, Rob Edwards' appointment as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new coach looked a formality, with the Premier League’s bottom club reportedly having agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the 42-year-old and £4m compensation with Boro.
But the Teessiders are still very early in their search for his replacement, and with Gary O'Neil another linked – having turned down a return to Wolves last week – they must weigh up if past comments make their former midfielder too risky.
Coach Harry Watling is expected to follow Edwards but not Adi Viveash, who led them to victory over Birmingham City as caretaker on Saturday.
COMMITMENT: Valencia coach Carlos Corberan (Image: JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
COMMITMENT: Valencia coach Carlos Corberan (Image: JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Corberan – who began in English football as a Leeds United coach, becoming assistant to Marcelo Bielsa before head coach roles at Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion via a brief spell at Olympiacos – is under pressure in Valenica.
He led his boyhood club from La Liga's relegation zone to 12th last season, but only goal difference is keeping them above the line now.
Asked about the Boro vacancy on Sunday, the 42-year-old said: “I can only say that my commitment to turning things around is the absolute maximum. Nothing hurts us more than seeing Valencia like this.”
CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS: Gary O'Neil is a former Middlesbrough midfielder (Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)placeholder image
CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS: Gary O'Neil is a former Middlesbrough midfielder (Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Edwards, whose family live in Telford, played more for Wolves than any other club in his career – he later played for Barnsley – and began his coaching career there before moving into management in 2021.
Wolves are eight points adrift of Premier League safety and fan protests against their owners have been a regular feature at this season's games. Boro are second in the Championship after 15 games.