Edwards a ‘strong contender’ for Boro job

Former Watford manager Rob Edwards is seen as a ‘strong contender’ to replace the departed Chris Wilder at Middlesbrough, with the 39-year-old set to be ‘interviewed this week’ for the role, according to John Percy.

The Lowdown: Wilder sacked by Boro

On Monday, it was confirmed that Wilder had been sacked as Boro manager following a disappointing run of results in the Championship.

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Coventry City proved to be the final straw for the Teesside club’s owners, with the team sitting 22nd in the table after having early-season hopes of being promotion candidates.

The search is now on for a new manager, and one name has already been thrown into the ring as a possible candidate.

The Latest: Edwards emerges as a candidate

Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, Percy confirmed Wilder’s sacking and said that Edwards was being looked at for the vacant manager’s job at the Riverside Stadium, with an interview for the role seemingly imminent.

The journalist tweeted:

“Chris Wilder sacked by Middlesbrough. 21 points from the last 20 games so its been coming. Rob Edwards, sacked by Watford last week, to be interviewed this week and viewed as a strong contender to replace Wilder. Gary O’Neil situation at #afcb also worth keeping an eye on.”

The Verdict: Good young option

There would be a clear element of risk in hiring Edwards, considering that he is still only 39 years of age, inexperienced at Championship level and was only recently sacked himself at Watford, not that such an occurrence is unusual at Vicarage Road these days.

That said, he could bring fresh ideas to the Riverside and act as a long-term hire rather than an ageing quick fix brought in solely to avoid relegation.

Edwards shone during his time at Forest Green Rovers, securing promotion to League One last season and winning the League Two Manager of the Year award, so Boro could do worse than taking a punt on him.