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Rob Edwards

Edwards in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Robert Owen Edwards
Date of birth	(1982-12-25) 25 December 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth	Telford, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Luton Town (manager)
Youth career
0000–1999	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2004	Aston Villa	8	(0)
2003	→ Crystal Palace (loan)	7	(1)
2004	→ Derby County (loan)	11	(1)
2004–2008	Wolverhampton Wanderers	100	(1)
2008–2011	Blackpool	59	(2)
2011	→ Norwich City (loan)	3	(0)
2011–2013	Barnsley	17	(0)
2012	→ Fleetwood Town (loan)	4	(0)
2013	→ Shrewsbury Town (loan)	4	(0)
Total		213	(5)
International career
2003–2006	Wales	15	(0)
Managerial career
2016	Wolverhampton Wanderers (interim)
2017–2018	AFC Telford United
2020–2021	England U16
2021–2022	Forest Green Rovers
2022	Watford
2022–	Luton Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Owen Edwards (born 25 December 1982) is a professional football manager and former footballer who played as a centre-back and is the manager of EFL Championship club Luton Town. Born in England to Welsh parents, he represented Wales internationally.

Edwards began his career with Aston Villa, making his senior debut in the Premier League. He then moved to Midlands neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2004, where he spent four seasons at Championship level. He helped both Blackpool and Norwich to promotions to the Premier League and featured for Barnsley in the Championship before retiring due to injury in 2013. He played international football for Wales, making his debut in 2004 and winning 15 caps in total. His father also played for Wales, at U18 level. He completed his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales and moved into management after retiring as a player.

Edwards managed Wolves' academy and had an interim spell at the first team, before leading AFC Telford United and the England under-16 team. He guided Forest Green Rovers to promotion as League Two champions in the 2021–22 season. Watford appointed Edwards as manager in May 2022 but he was sacked just four months later in September. He joined Luton Town later that year, leading the club to promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs.

Club career

Aston Villa

Edwards was born in Telford, Shropshire. He started his career as an apprentice at Aston Villa, and worked his way up to his first-team debut on 28 December 2002, in a 1–0 home win over Middlesbrough. In January 2003, after playing in three consecutive matches at right-back he signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the club. Edwards went on to make nine appearances in total for Villa, all during 2002–03. He was sent on loan to First Division club Crystal Palace in November 2003, where he spent one month, playing six games and scoring one goal in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.

Edwards then joined fellow First Division club Derby County on loan in January 2004, where he stayed until the end of the season. He played ten games for the club, scoring a goal in a 2–1 home win over Gillingham on 17 January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

In May 2004, Edwards was told by Aston Villa manager David O'Leary that he could leave the club. Edwards made the short journey across the West Midlands and joined Championship Wolverhampton Wanderers that July in a three-year deal for £150,000. After five games in August, he suffered an ankle injury and did not return until February 2005.

Edwards gained more playing time in the 2005–06 campaign and he played the majority of the following season under new manager Mick McCarthy but suffered knee ligament damage in April 2007. that kept him out of the season's end as the team made the play-offs.

He again suffered knee ligament injury, in a reserve team match against Walsall in September 2007. He scored his only goal for Wolves on 9 February 2008 in a 4–2 home defeat to Stoke City. He was placed on the transfer list in May.

Blackpool

In August 2008, Edwards left Wolves to join Blackpool, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for the Seasiders on 9 August 2008 in a 1–0 home defeat to Bristol City. Edwards was captain of the side for the 1–1 draw at Norwich City on 16 August as Keith Southern who had captained the side up to then in the 2008–09 season, was suspended. Manager Simon Grayson appointed him as team captain for the rest of the season. His first goal for the Seasiders came on 29 December 2008 when he scored Blackpool's second equaliser in a 2–2 draw against his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road.

Ian Holloway was appointed as Blackpool manager in June 2009, and gave Edwards 21 league appearances as the club went on to finish in 6th place, qualifying for the play-offs. After beating Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, Blackpool won promotion to the Premier League by beating Cardiff City in the play-offs final, where Edwards was an unused substitute. Ahead of the 2010-11 season he agreed a new contract with Blackpool, a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months, with playing in the Premier League being the reason behind him signing. Edwards signed for Championship team Norwich City on loan until the end of the season in February 2011. He made his debut as a second-half substitute for Zak Whitbread in the 1–1 draw against Preston North End on 5 March, and made two more appearances as the club won promotion to the Premier League.

Barnsley

Edwards was released by Blackpool at the end of the 2010-11 season and signed for Barnsley. He made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest on 21 February 2012. After not making a first team appearance in 2012-13, Edwards was loaned to League Two club Fleetwood Town in 2012. The following 31 January, he returned to his home county and joined League One team Shrewsbury Town on loan for a month. Days after the deal was expanded for the rest of the season, he was ruled out with a thigh muscle injury in training. He retired from playing in October 2013.

International career

Edwards represented England at youth level, but not in a UEFA-recognised game, so qualified for Wales as his parents are both Welsh. He made his debut for Wales before he left Aston Villa, on 29 March 2003, in a 4–0 European Championship qualifying victory over Azerbaijan.

Coaching career

Early years

On 11 October 2013, Edwards announced that he had retired from professional football at the age of 30. He became Under-18s coach at Wolves, and his first season in charge (2014–15) was considered very successful by local newspaper Express & Star. He was promoted to help Head Coach Kenny Jackett for the final two months of the season, and then to the role of full-time First Team Coach during the summer of 2015.

On 25 October 2016 Edwards was appointed interim head coach at Wolves following the sacking of Walter Zenga. He took charge of two games – a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers, followed by a 2–3 defeat to Derby – before Paul Lambert took charge. Edwards remained at the club in the role of first team coach until the conclusion of the season when he departed alongside Lambert.

On 28 June 2017, Edwards was named as the new manager of his hometown club AFC Telford United. The Bucks finished in 14th place in the National League North, 10 points outside the play-offs. Edwards left by mutual consent at the end of the season.

Edwards was appointed as the head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 on 20 July 2018. In his first season in charge, he led them to promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1, the highest level of youth football, for the first time in their history.

In October 2019, Edwards left Wolves to take up a 'prestigious role' with The Football Association working as a coach with the England U20s. On 24 September 2020, he was appointed as head coach for the England under-16 team.

Forest Green Rovers

On 27 May 2021, Edwards was appointed Head Coach of League Two side Forest Green Rovers, joining the role on 4 June in order to be able to finish the season with his England sides. After picking up four wins from his first five matches, Edwards was awarded the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award for August 2021 with his star striker Matty Stevens winning the Player of the Month award. He won the award for a second time for November following three wins from three.

Edwards then won the manager of the month award for a third time for January 2022 after picking up 14 points from six matches, including a 4–0 win away at second-placed Tranmere Rovers, moving ten points clear at the top of the league. On 23 April, Forest Green drew 0–0 away at Bristol Rovers to secure promotion to League One for the first time in the club's history. The following day, Edwards was named the 2021–22 EFL League Two Manager of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony. On 11 May, he departed the club following negotiations with Watford.

Watford

On 11 May 2022, Edwards was announced as the new head coach of Watford, taking over from Roy Hodgson at the conclusion of the 2021–22 season. His first game on 1 August was a 1–0 home win over Sheffield United with a goal by João Pedro.

On 26 September 2022, Edwards was sacked as head coach after winning three out of ten league games and with Watford in 10th place. Slaven Bilic succeeded him on the same day.

Luton Town

On 17 November 2022, Edwards was appointed manager of Championship club Luton Town, rivals of Edwards' previous club Watford. In his first season at the club, he guided Luton to the Premier League, via the play-off final against Coventry City, through a third-place finish in the Championship and a two legged play-off semi-final win over Sunderland. His Luton Town team subsequently beat Coventry in the EFL Championship playoff final, drawing 1–1 after extra time, and winning 6–5 on penalties. Despite taking them to the Premier League, his team were relegated at the end of the season in the 4-2 home defeat to Fulham.

Personal life

Edwards is the cousin of fellow former footballer and coach Sean Parrish.

Career statistics

Club

1. Appearance in Championship play-offs

Managerial statistics

As of match played 20 December 2024

Honours

As a player

Blackpool

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2010

As a manager

Forest Green Rovers

• EFL League Two: 2021–22

Luton Town

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2023

Individual

• EFL League Two Manager of the Month: August 2021, November 2021, January 2022
• EFL League Two Manager of the Season: 2021–22

References

1. "List of players given a free transfer: Barnsley" (PDF). The Football League. p. 76. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
2. ^ "Rob Edwards: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
3. ^ "Rob Edwards". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
4. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
5. "Generation game as Chirk football family member Edwards leads Luton Town to glory". Border Counties Advertizer. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
6. "Rob Edwards . . . The Forgotten Man of Welsh Football Now Making Rivals Envious at Forest Green". 11 April 2022.
7. "Edwards not expecting to get any friendly advice this time from Reds boss Cooper". 21 October 2023.
8. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (26 September 2022). "Watford sack Rob Edwards as manager and appoint Slaven Bilic to replace him". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
9. ^ "Coventry 1-1 Luton Town AET: Hatters win Championship play-off final 6-5 on penalties to reach Premier League". www.skysports.co.uk. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
10. "Premiership clockwatch". BBC Sport. 28 December 2002. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
11. "New deal for Edwards". BBC Sport. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
12. "Crystal Palace 1–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 29 November 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
13. "Derby 2–1 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 17 January 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
14. "Edwards set to leave Villa". BBC Sport. 31 May 2004.
15. "Wolves seal Edwards deal". BBC Sport. 20 April 2004.
16. "Rob out to end injury ordeal". Birmingham Mail. 18 February 2005. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
17. "Edwards eyes return in play-offs". BBC Sport. 19 April 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
18. "Edwards sidelined by knee injury". BBC Sport. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
19. "Wolverhampton 2–4 Stoke". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
20. "Wolves have end-of-term clear-out". BBC Sport. 9 May 2008.
21. "Edwards Arrives!". Blackpool. 7 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
22. "Blackpool sign defender Edwards". BBC Sport. 7 August 2008.
23. Canavan, Steve (29 August 2008). "Edwards confirmed as Pool skipper". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
24. "Edwards Named New Pool Skipper". Blackpool. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
25. Jolly, Richard (29 December 2008). "Edwards strikes late to get measure of revenge on Wolves". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
26. "Edwards out to impress". Sky Sports. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
27. "Edwards Agrees New Deal". Blackpool F.C. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
28. "Edwards pens new Pool deal". Sky Sports. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
29. "Canaries swoop for Edwards". Sky Sports. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
30. "Tykes take Edwards". Sky Sports. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
31. "Shrewsbury Town: Rob Edwards joins on loan from Barnsley". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
32. "Rob Edwards out for rest of Shrewsbury loan". Shropshire Star. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
33. ^ "Former Wales and Wolves defender Rob Edwards announces his retirement from playing". Sky Sports. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
34. "Hughes targets Villa youngster". BBC Sport. 15 January 2003.
35. "Match Report – Wales 4 – 0 Azerbaijan". Football Association of Wales. 29 March 2003. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
36. "Rob Edwards excelling as a coach at Wolves". Express & Star. 7 November 2016.
37. "Walter Zenga: Wolves sack head coach after 87 days in charge". BBC Sport. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
38. "Paul Lambert departs Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 30 May 2017.
39. "AFC Telford United are delighted to announce the arrival of a new manager in Rob Edwards". AFC Telford United. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
40. "Rob Edwards leaves AFC Telford". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
41. Edwards To Lead Under 23s, wolves.co.uk, 20 June 2018
42. Under-23s confirmed as league champions, wolves.co.uk, 29 April 2019
43. "Rob Edwards leaves Wolves to take up FA role". Express and Star. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
44. "The coaching staff for our England teams during the 2020-21 season has been confirmed". The FA. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
45. "Rob Edwards named Forest Green Rovers Head Coach". www.fgr.co.uk. 27 May 2021.
46. ^ "Edwards and Stevens scoop league accolades". www.fgr.co.uk. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
47. ^ "Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month: November winners!". www.efl.com. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
48. ^ "January's Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month winners!". www.efl.com. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
49. "Forest Green promoted to League One for first time". BBC Sport. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
50. ^ "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL.com. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
51. "FGR confirms the departure of Head Coach Rob Edwards". www.fgr.co.uk. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
52. "Club Statement: Rob Edwards". Watford F.C. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
53. "Watford 1–0 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
54. "Rob Edwards appointed as Luton Town manager!". www.lutontown.co.uk. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
55. "'Remarkable' for Luton to reach play-off final - Pleat". BBC Sport. 16 May 2023.
56. Thomas, Marissa (19 May 2024). "Luton Town are relegated from the Premier League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
57. "Shrewsbury Town interim boss Sean Parrish seeks advice from cousin and Luton boss Rob Edwards". Shropshire Star. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
58. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
59. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
60. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
61. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
62. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
63. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
64. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
65. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
66. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
67. "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
68. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
69. "Managers: Rob Edwards". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
70. Fletcher, Paul (22 May 2010). "Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
71. "Forest Green: How Rob Edwards' Rovers secured 'fairy tale' promotion to League One". Sky Sports.
72. "Luton win shootout to reach Premier League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2023.

External links

• Profile at blackpoolfc.co.uk
• Rob Edwards at Premier League
• Rob Edwards at Soccerbase

• 1982 births
• Living people
• English people of Welsh descent
• Sportspeople from Telford
• Footballers from Shropshire
• English men's footballers
• Welsh men's footballers
• Men's association football defenders
• Aston Villa F.C. players
• Barnsley F.C. players
• Blackpool F.C. players
• Crystal Palace F.C. players
• Derby County F.C. players
• Fleetwood Town F.C. players
• Norwich City F.C. players
• Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
• Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
• English Football League players
• Premier League players
• Wales men's international footballers
• Association football coaches
• English football managers
• English Football League managers
• National League (English football) managers
• Welsh football managers
• AFC Telford United managers
• Forest Green Rovers F.C. managers
• Watford F.C. managers
• Luton Town F.C. managers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. non-playing staff
• 21st-century English sportsmen