'It knocks your confidence in how the club is run': Wolves fans left surprised and disappointed at Rob Edwards sacking

A week which had started so well for Wolverhampton Wanderers has taken a sudden turn after the head coach Rob Edwards was sacked by the club.

The announcement on Thursday morning brought to an end Edwards’ time in charge, having taken over in November last year and managing the club through 30 games in all competitions, losing 16.

Edwards had left a Championship promotion race with Middlesbrough to replace the sacked Vitor Pereira at the club, which he played for 100 times between 2004 and 2008 and also coached at academy level.

His sacking has been described as shocking and surprising from figures close to the club, as he had been at the forefront of bringing in players such as Kieran Trippier and former striker Raul Jimenez, while the club looks set to appoint Cesar Peixoto as his replacement.

News of his sacking has provoked a strong response from supporters of the club across Wolverhampton city centre, with many left wondering what the thinking was by the club.

Dan Warren, who had been a leading figure in the Wolves Supporters Trust in the past, was one of those left bewildered by the decision.

Dan, 33, from Oxley, said: “I was a bit surprised because I was under the impression that when he got the job, he was getting next season and his appointment had been with the view that we were getting relegated to the Championship.

“I’m a bit concerned about the long-term direction for the club because we had a manager who had a connection with the club, having played for the club, was an academy coach and was viewed as one for the future, and we’ve only give him six months.

“It’s been a poor six months, but it was a poor squad and wasn’t his squad and his players, with a lot of them knowing they weren’t going to be there in the future and he tried his best to get the best out of them.

“I think it damages the reputation of the club because they’re making promises that they can’t keep, as I don’t think Rob Edwards would have left Middlesbrough if he wasn’t guaranteed next season, so it knocks your confidence in the club, the management and the ownership.”

Dan Warren’s views were being matched and agreed with by other Wolves fans working and shopping in the Mander Centre, with Toni Clayton, 35, from Dunstall, saying she was shocked at the suddenness of it.

She said: “I was quite shocked, actually, as I thought that being in the Championship would allow us to have a fresh start, as would having the likes of Raul coming back.

“I think it’s harsh as the Premier League wasn’t great, but it seemed like he wasn’t given the time and only had half a season.”

Kevin Bourne, 51, Wednesfield, said he felt Rob Edwards hadn’t been given enough time, saying: “They only signed him in November, so what were they expecting him to do?

“He’d had the players playing better than they’d played before and I don’t even know who the new guy is coming in, so it just seems unfair that he didn’t get the time.”

Some people had only just found out the news, such as William Miles, 66, from Heath Town.

He said: “I don’t know why they’ve sacked him. Did they think he wasn’t doing a good enough job or did they already have someone coming in?

“I think he’s been treated harshly and they really didn’t give him enough time or the right players.”

While a lot of fans were talking about disappointment and sadness at the news, there were also people who were reacting differently to the news, such as Bill Agar, 62, from Pennfields.

He said he was pleased to hear about the news, saying: “I was very happy because I don’t think he’s done anything for Wolves and we should have Nuno back, as he was the number one, or even Steve Bull as manager.

“All of football is the same as you get a manager in and if they’re not doing any good, then you get rid of them, and I can tell it’s a difficult job as it’s not one I would want to do.”