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.
A move to hire Wrexham defender Conor Coady as a coach has been explored but sources claim it is highly unlikely. Coady played for Wolves when Edwards was coaching there.
Club ready to strengthen struggling squad
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.
Wolves are also at the limit for non-homegrown players.
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.
