Wolves Need Brave Thinking, Not Nostalgia: Appoint Rob Edwards Now

Wolves don’t need a comfort blanket — they need a plan. Advanced conversations to bring Gary O’Neil back to Molineux may offer a short-term sugar rush, but the smarter long game is staring Fosun in the face: go and get Rob Edwards.

The state of play at Molineux

Talks with O’Neil are progressing, with the former boss emerging as the frontrunner to replace Vítor Pereira. Even so, the hierarchy are weighing alternatives, and Edwards — a former Wolves defender and, per reports, currently working impressively in the North East — is among those being seriously considered. Any move for him would require compensation, and the clock is ticking with the Premier League resuming this weekend before an international breather.

Why Edwards is the right bet

Edwards has already shown he can drag a club up from the Championship and make them competitive against the odds. His Luton Town side punched well above their weight in the top flight, squeezing every drop out of a limited squad and refusing to roll over. That resilience is exactly what Wolves need with the table looking unforgiving and the mood fractious.

There’s pedigree and personality, too. Jurgen Klopp once hailed Edwards as “insane” — very much a compliment about the intensity and bravery of his approach. He builds structure, improves players, and isn’t afraid to back youth. For a club that may have to stare down a relegation scrap and a possible reset, that’s gold dust.

If Fosun are serious about a coherent identity and a pathway back to stability, Edwards is the manager who fits the project — not just the panic.

Why a reunion with O’Neil feels like a step backwards

Bring-backs rarely land the way people hope. O’Neil’s return risks reopening old wounds rather than healing them. Sections of the fanbase are already bristling at the idea, with talk of protests surfacing. Even if he sparks a bounce, what’s the blueprint beyond that? Wolves need conviction and continuity, not a revolving door and recycled ideas.

The Carrick question

Michael Carrick’s name is in the frame, but his managerial mileage is still relatively light. There’s promise, no doubt, yet this moment demands a coach who has already wrestled a club through promotion, pressure and pragmatism. Edwards ticks those boxes more convincingly.

Time to choose vision over sentiment

With Wolves rooted to the bottom and points painfully scarce, survival isn’t secured by sentiment. It’s secured by strategy. Edwards offers a clear style, a proven capacity to maximise modest resources, and the gravitas to unite a split crowd. Yes, there’ll be compensation to negotiate — but that’s an investment in identity, not just a manager.

If you’re weighing where the smart money goes next, the sharpest odds aren’t on a nostalgic reunion. For the latest prices and insight across football, check out the best betting sites before the weekend kicks off.

Bottom line

Wolves can either go back to what’s familiar and hope it clicks, or be bold and back a builder. In a season where every decision could define the next three years, Edwards is the brave, sensible choice. Over to you, Fosun.