There has been a mixed fan reaction on social media as Rob Edwards gives first interview as new Middlesbrough head coach.
The 42-year-old has been appointed head coach of Middlesbrough on a three-year contract. He is joined by assistant coaches Adi Viveash and Harry Watling.
Boro’s head of football, Kieran Scott, praised Edwards’ achievements and vision, while Edwards expressed excitement about joining the club, citing its supportive owner and passionate fanbase.
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Edwards as our new head coach.
Welcome to Boro, Rob! 🔴⚪️
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) June 24, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Middlesbrough Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Edwards as our new head coach.
A Premier League promotion winner, he joins the club on a three-year contract and is joined in the dugout by Adi Viveash and Harry Watling.
Rob brings a wealth of experience, having led Luton Town to the top-flight during his first season at the club, and he followed that by managing the Hatters in the Premier League.
His previous management experience came at Forest Green Rovers, where he led the club to League One for the first time in their history, and he had a short spell at Watford before leading Luton to a remarkable promotion in 2023.
Adi is a vastly-experienced coach, having spent seven years as Coventry City’s assistant manager – a period which included two promotions – and nine years coaching with Chelsea’s Academy.
Harry is another highly-rated coach who has worked at the likes of Chelsea, Millwall, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Rangers.
Boro’s head of football Kieran Scott said: “Rob is someone who I’ve been aware of for a long time and I’ve followed his development as a coach closely.
“He made history at Forest Green Rovers, and to win promotion to the Premier League with Luton Town was a fantastic achievement.
“We had an exciting pool of candidates for this role, but we felt that Rob was the stand-out and were very impressed upon meeting him and listening to him talk about his vision for the club.
“We’re excited that Rob has agreed to join us and are looking forward to the future.”
Our new coaching additions 👋 pic.twitter.com/sYj9BgLl71
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) June 24, 2025
Rob cut his teeth on the coaching front at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he was Under-18s coach and U21s coach. He also coached England U20s and England U16s.
As a player, Rob made around 250 appearances, starting his career in the Premier League with Aston Villa. A former Welsh international central defender, he clocked up a century of appearances at Wolves and captained Blackpool on their journey to the Premier League.
Rob Edwards said: “It’s a real privilege to be given the opportunity to be head coach of this great football club. It’s something that’s not lost on me, how big this is, how important this is, and what it means to people. There is an amazing fanbase.
“It felt instantly that this was right for me and it got me excited. If I was going to come back in, I wanted to come back in at a place where we had a chance, and we have a really good chance here.
“We have a brilliant owner who historically gives his coaches time, support, and the tools needed to try and be successful. I can’t wait to get started now.”
As mentioned, there has been a mixed fan reaction as Rob Edwards gives his first interview as new Middlesbrough head coach…
@cbstar82: Welcome to Middlesbrough Rob, hope can give club a much needed boast it needs. Plus planning is well under way for the new season! Let’s go! 🔴⚪️💪
@justcalledtosay: I really think Rob Edwards is a good fit for @Boro. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s humble & his teams work their socks off. That will tick a lot of boxes with our fan base. Firstly he & his team need to get us winning especially at home. Fortress Riverside is a neccessity
@teamslikeLuton: 5-1 – a total destruction of the Luton team and ethos and still appointed him. WOW!
@SwitcherB: Will always be behind Rob as he’s now one of us, but I won’t pretend Danny Rohl wasn’t the preferred choice. Fingers crossed I eat humble pie and we go up as champions eh
@HARVEYW80704663: You’ve just gone from carrick to this guy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 huge downgrade
@karis_noble: Just doesn’t fill me with any form of confidence, flat as a fart
@Seanhogan1997: Be interesting to see how this works out for him. Personally dont think hes better than Carrick
@CaineToad_: We have the most entitled fan base in the division. Wouldn’t think we’ve been stuck in the championship for 15 years the way some people go on. Stuck in the past 👍
@MikeyHobson3: Time to get behind him, excited by his assistant too, could be an exciting season
@tomhwilliams23: Interested to see how Rob Edwards does at Boro. Will be a different style than under Carrick you’d have thought. Boro’s underlying data was actually really strong under Carrick as well. Intrigued as to how this plays out. Really hope it works out for all involved!
@AarxnJL: I’ll never discredit him for all he did for us, and he understandably still has a bit of stock left because of it but to land on his feet this well after last season is strange.
@KJA_mfc: That coaching team as a whole feels strong to me. Big difference to the yes men and old boys club previously. Adi could be a massive pickup reading up on him and what he is all about. Quite excited for our new era. Welcome to Boro, Rob
@mar_utb14: Is it weird that my first thought when seeing this was, what a fucking handsome bloke he is? Also, people may not think Edwards is an upgrade on Carrick, but having someone alongside him like Adi Viveash makes the whole coaching team a definite upgrade on what we had before 💪
@RobSc0tt: I don’t care. I’m all in. Rob Edwards’ Handsome Reds. Finishing anywhere between 7th and 12th, but looking quite striking in the process. #UTB
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