Dramatic twist as Championship manager stood down from job just hours before match kicks off

Boro, currently sitting third in the Championship, are expected to make a formal statement shortly.

Their opponents, Birmingham, arrive at the Riverside Stadium after back-to-back 4-0 victories, while the uncertainty around the home club’s managerial situation has become the central narrative of the match.

Wolves made an initial approach earlier in the week, which Middlesbrough rejected, and the Midlands club would be required to pay compensation to secure Edwards.

Several Boro players reportedly believe that Edwards is likely to move to Molineux, although it remains unclear whether he has yet made a final decision. At this stage, the situation is described as advanced but not concluded.

This would be a return to familiar ground for Edwards. The 42-year-old spent four years as a player at Wolves between 2004 and 2008, having signed from Aston Villa.

A defender by trade, he featured regularly in the Championship under Glenn Hoddle and Mick McCarthy and became a respected figure in the dressing room.

He also represented Wales internationally during this period, earning 15 senior caps.

After injury curtailed his playing career, Edwards returned to Wolves in a coaching capacity, working within the academy system before joining the first-team staff. He spent six years in various roles at Molineux, gaining a reputation as a thoughtful coach with a strong emphasis on player development, before leaving in 2019 to take up a position with the Football Association.

Edwards’ most high-profile success to date came during his tenure at Luton Town.

After a short and turbulent spell at Watford in 2022, he joined Luton in November of the same year and guided them to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

That achievement was widely regarded as one of the most impressive managerial stories of recent seasons, particularly given Luton’s limited financial resources compared with their rivals.

Edwards led the club into their first top-flight campaign since 1992, fostering a strong team spirit and a clear tactical identity that earned plaudits even in defeat.

Luton’s Premier League campaign was ultimately defined by its competitiveness rather than its results.

Although survival proved beyond them, the team were praised for their organisation, resilience and commitment, while several players developed markedly under Edwards’ guidance.

His work at Kenilworth Road enhanced his reputation as one of the Championship’s most accomplished and forward-thinking young managers.

Wolves originally explored the possibility of bringing back former manager Gary O’Neil, who left the club in December 2024.

However, that option was dismissed after significant resistance from supporters and doubts within the playing group about the wisdom of revisiting a recent managerial tenure.

With O’Neil unavailable, attention shifted to Edwards, whose history with the club, coaching pedigree and recent record have made him an appealing candidate.

For Middlesbrough, the immediate priority will be to maintain focus in a key stage of the season.

The club are enjoying a promising campaign, and any managerial change would need to be handled with clarity and speed to preserve momentum. Until a final decision is announced, assistant staff are expected to take charge of match preparations.