‘This job was always my aim’ – Rob Edwards gives his first sit down interview as Wolves head coach, leaving Middlesbrough to do so.
Edwards says that returning to Wolves after 21 years has always been “the dream”, and while he acknowledges they’re in a tough position (bottom of table, no wins in 11), he sees it as 27 games left to try and stay up and rebuild identity long-term.
He’s ready for challenge, fully committed, with staff and players “up for it”, with the focus being hard work, effort, unity.
With the help of fans, quick Integration: and belief, he wants the team to look like Wolves mean more than opponents.
Interviewer: “Rob, welcome back to Wolves. 21 years since you joined as a player. How does it mean to be here as head coach?”
Rob: “Yeah, it means a lot. This club’s really special. It’s special anyway, but it’s special to me. It’s where I’ve spent most of my career, my professional career, where I played most of my football.
“Just laughing at one of my shirts, it was not one of my shirts, but one of the shirts I would’ve worn most. I was just laughing with the guys then saying it was probably on the bench most of the time or on the treatment table.
“But, yeah, it’s really special. And then to have, you know, done a lot of the roles that I’ve done, I’ve got to be honest, this was always my aim. This is like the dream.”
Interviewer: “Obviously, conversations with Jeff and the club staff recently. What was it about this project that excited you both short and long term?”
Rob: “Yeah, well, Jeff talked to me about a reset moment. It’s an opportunity for us now. I know we’re in a difficult spot. I get that.
“But it’s an opportunity here for us. There’s still 27 games to go. It’s an opportunity here for us to do something really special. Really special. And that appeals to me.
“I’ve always been a risk taker. You know, I’ve always wanted this job. And you don’t know if it’s ever going to come along ever again. And the opportunity was there right now.
“Yeah, Jeff spoke about this reset opportunity now as a chance for us still. Of course. I know that it’s going to be difficult, but there’s an opportunity for us to maintain our Premier League status this year and then grow and continue to grow and build as well.
“So, short term, that’s got to be our aim. We’ve got to try and find results. And then long term, let’s look to try and to build something again, build on our identity and a connection with everybody again.
“And yeah, those have been the conversations. I’m just relishing the opportunity now.”
Interviewer: “Yeah, you sort of alluded to it there. Obviously, difficult position on the table, but how ready are you for that challenge ahead?”
Rob: “Yeah, I’m ready. And like I said, it was a difficult decision because it left a really good football club that gave me an opportunity with really passionate supporters that, you know, where we were doing well.
“Now, I know the situation that we’re in right now, but this is, like I said before, this is just something that I’ve always wanted. And yeah, I’m ready for it. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m up for it. The staff will be.
“It’s great getting around everybody now, seeing so many faces that I know and new faces as well. And, you know, the staff are all up for it.
“We’ll meet the players next week when everyone arrives back. And I know the lads will be as well. You know, I know the lads will be.
“So, alright. Not quite gone our way so far this season. That has got to be done. You know, it’s 11 games, but we’ve got, you know, that’s just done. Now it’s moving forward.
“What can we do to affect it? And that’s working incredibly hard, incredibly hard, leaving it all out there to try and drag our way out of it.”
Interviewer: “Yeah, you mentioned the familiar faces, obviously familiar with the area, the club. How much will that help you settling quickly here?”
Rob: “Yeah, it does help. It does. I know my way around. It does. And it feels like, almost feels like you’ve not been away. And that does help.
“But obviously, there’s a new group of players to get to know. And they’re now the biggest focus and the most important thing, because they’re the ones that go over that white line and do it.
“So, that’ll be a real focus for us going forward over the coming weeks. We’ve got to try and get up to speed really, really quickly, try and get our message across really quickly and get buying straight away. And yeah, so familiar surroundings and familiar people help.
“But in the end now, it’s about, it’s the work that we do going forward and going forward with the lads. That’s going to be really important.”
Interviewer: “When you look at all those staff and those players, how important is it now for everyone to be pulling in the same direction?”
Rob: “Yeah, of course. I get the frustration around because, you know, we’ve not won for a long time. As I say, that is done.
“Now, the only way, if we’re going to move forward and we’re going to get ourselves out of this, the only way to do that is to try and back the players.
“Let’s back the lads now. Let’s really get behind everyone, get behind the players, because they’re the ones that go over the white line. They’re the ones that have got to go and do it in the end.
“And that will really, really help. That will really, really help. What doesn’t help then is if there’s a lot of noise around. It does. It’s inevitable. It transmits to the pitch, it transmits to the players. It’s going to be difficult. It is.
“So, I get the frustration, totally. Supporters will travel a long way, spend a lot of money. They want to support the team. They want to see the team win and be successful. They only want the team to be successful. That’s it.
“And obviously, over this last decade or so, we’ve seen a lot of good, some top players and a lot of really good times. And at the moment, like I said, we’re in a difficult position.
“So, I get the frustration, but what’s going to help us moving forward now is everyone pulling in the same direction.
“And if everyone can see now, total effort. Total effort, us leaving it all out there and playing for the badge and playing for pride and showing commitment and effort and spirit, fight and determination. If we can do that, then I think everyone will be able to get on board with that.”
Interviewer: “When you look, obviously still 27 games to go, it’s still November. How key is that message that there’s still such a long way to go this season?”
Rob: “Yeah, there is. Because, unfortunately, we haven’t got a magic wand and we can’t guarantee results straight away. It’s the one thing we can’t guarantee.
“All the other things I just spoke about, the effort and the spirit and the intensity, that’s in our control. Unfortunately, the results aren’t. But hopefully, with those things, results will follow.
“There is still a long way to go, it’s a big chunk of the season, but of course, we want to try and get in touch quickly. So, it’d be amazing to get results early on. Unfortunately, that’s the one thing that we can’t guarantee.”
Interviewer: Yeah, we spoke to Matt Doherty yesterday, obviously, about your announcements and he still has that belief, he still has that faith. How important is that character, that leadership, that sort of attitude in the squad?”
Rob: “Yeah, it’s really important. We’re going to need that from everyone. So, when we’re out on the pitch, we’re going to need 11 leaders.
“And then whoever’s around it in the squad, not even involved, we’re going to need everyone to back the group that are on the pitch at that moment.
“We’re going to need everyone to show leadership qualities, to show belief and character.
“And again, it’s not something that maybe you can just click your fingers and get straight away. That might take a little bit of time, but hopefully not long.”
Interviewer: “And what is it you envisage when you think of Rob Edwards’ Wolves team?”
Rob: “Well, every supporter, what is a non-negotiable for me, and what every supporter wants to see is effort and hard work, total commitment.
“We’ve got to leave it all out there. It’s got to look like now. It means more to us than the opposition. That’s what it has to look like.
“And that’ll be our message to the players. We’ve got to make it look like that.”
Interviewer: “And you’ve haved watched our games. You’ll know a lot of the players. You would have played against some of them when you were a Luton manager. What do you see in that group to believe that they can get more out of them?”
Rob: “Look, we’ve been close in games. There’s been nearly moments. There’s obviously been some frustrations, some late goals conceded, and that’s then probably affected things. And it’s probably just snowballed a little bit.
“So, it’s quite quickly to get some belief and some confidence injected back into the group. I totally believe in what we can achieve, and that needs to then come across and we need to transmit that to the players as well. There’s enough quality here. There’s enough good players here.
“All right, some things have gone against us for now, but like I said, we’ve got to draw a line and learn from some of it.
“But now we look at what’s ahead of us. I believe in the group.”
Interviewer: “And when you look at the squad, there’s the lads away on International Tuesday. They’ll come back at different stages next week. How do you prepare? How does the next week look ahead of Palace?”
Rob: “Yes, we’ll be in every day. And obviously, as the lads come back, then we’ll be able to get working with them.
“This bit’s good in a way. We can get our feet under the table, we can get planning, and we can get to see the staff and obviously get our way across to the staff. But we’re not going to see the players so much.
“So, we’re going to come up against a real well-oiled team who have been doing the same thing for a long, long time and are the same manager. They’ve done great. We won’t have had that long to work together, but in the end, that’s no excuse.
“We’ve got to hit the ground running. So, we’ll get some clarity to the players to try and keep things as simple as possible, because we’re only going to have a day with some of them.
“And I think that’s going to be the most important thing coming up for this game.
“The week after the build-up to Villa, then obviously we have a full week and we can really get to work with the whole group and that will help. But you know the situation in football, you know you’re going to have this international break and it is what it is. So, we deal with it.
“We get working with the group as quickly as possible.”
Interviewer: “And just finally, Crystal Palace at home. Molineux for your first game as Wolves manager. I’m sure you’ll be absolutely buzzing from it. What’s your message for the supporters that are going to be there that day?”
Rob: “Again, just back the lads. Just back the lads. Let’s try now to do everything we can. So, what the supporters can do to really help us get out of this situation now is get behind the group, get behind the players.
“That’s what they can do. That’s in their control. It’s not going to be perfect because we’re human beings and we’ll make mistakes.
“The lads will make mistakes. That’s fine. As long as they see the players reacting really well to that and in the right way, then at least we can get behind that as well.
“But that’s what the supporters can do now. Bring the noise, bring the support to the lads. Then we’ve got our job to do.
“We need to see total commitment from the players and a real desire to try and get ourselves out of this situation.”
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Here’s how fans reacted after Rob Edwards gives his first interview as Wolves head coach…
@Wolfenblack: I dont want “look like” it means more , I want actual actions. Genuine want to win. Give the fans that and they will get behind Rob and the team. Plus, he talks about building in the full video. How can you build when your best players are sold every season? #wwfc
@WWFC_ST21: That Rob Edwards interview, so refreshing to hear a bloke that actually wants to be here, talking about how he’s always wanted this job. Had something with Boro but didn’t know if this opportunity would come again. Really want him to succeed here, back Rob, fuck Fosun #wwfc
@wwfcadd: Honestly, he really comes across as an absolute class act. You can tell a mile off how much he cares. Genuinely feel, whatever the outcome of this season is, it’s a bright future, irrespective of the ownership situation. Wolves ay we Rob!!
@_jwynny: Just ran through every wall in my house thanks Rob
@DiggoryEthan: Just when I thought I was out they’ve brought me right back in. Mr Robert Edwards I am moved. #wwfc
@Hadenwoof: I’d really like him to be a success 🤞 but i also know with Shi still in post that success will be short lived and i still want Shi out
@AndyEvers1: Very true and very refreshing to hear. This feels like a long time appointment (hopefully). He’s in a win win situation for the rest of this season as he’s got a free hit. If (when) we go down, then I’m confident he can bring us back up too. Rob Edwards barmy army
@TomWWFC_: Absolutely love to see a manager come into the job and actually want to be here, fair fucks to you rob edwards i am moved.
@Wolves_OD: Just watched the Rob Edwards interview and I can confirm we’re 100% staying up 💪 #wwfc #wolves
