What next for Wolves after shock managerial change

Wolves will entrust Cesar Peixoto with getting the club on the front foot as they bid to make a swift return to the Premier League.

The 46-year-old is leaving Gil Vicente, who he guided to sixth place in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season, to take the Molineux hotseat as Rob Edwards was brutally sacked.

It will be the biggest job of Peixoto’s career to date and it is hoped he can translate his exciting brand of attacking football to the Championship.

Wolves chairman Nathan Shi admits it was an ‘extremely difficult decision’ to fire Edwards but says it was the result of his desire to give Wolves the best possible chance at promotion.

Shi said: “I would like to personally thank Rob and his staff for everything they have given to Wolves during what has been a very difficult period in the club’s recent history.

“Rob accepted the challenge of returning to Wolves at a time when the situation was extremely challenging, and throughout his time here he has conducted himself with professionalism, integrity and commitment.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision. Following the end of the season, we undertook a thorough review of every aspect of the football operation.

“This process involved careful consideration of many factors and extensive reflection on what we believe is required to help the club progress over the coming years.

“Our decision was not about character, professionalism or dedication. It was about determining what we believe gives Wolves the strongest opportunity to move forward from a sporting perspective.

“While there were positive signs and areas of progress, we ultimately concluded that a different football direction would better align with the style, identity and level of competitiveness we want to establish at the club.

“It would have been easier to continue with what was familiar. However, leadership is not about choosing the easiest path, but about making the difficult decisions we believe are right for the future of the football club which will put Wolves on the strongest platform to move forward.

“Our ambition is to build a football club capable of achieving sustainable success. That requires clarity of vision, alignment throughout the football operation and the courage to make difficult decisions when we believe they are in the best interests of the club.”

Edwards will depart alongside his coaching staff, although it remains to be seen if Rui Pedro Silva will leave.

The Portuguese coach was an assistant under Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves and returned to the club in December after Edwards was appointed.

Edwards, who took over from Vitor Pereira in November, lasted just 211 days at the club before being unceremoniously sacked on Thursday morning.

He received a phone call to inform him of the decision after it had already leaked on Wednesday evening about Peixoto agreeing a deal to replace him.

It is understood some senior staff at Wolves were unaware of the plan to make a managerial change until the news was broken and it came as a shock to see the decision.