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Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)

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For other people with similar names, see Robert Edwards.

Rob Edwards
Edwards in 2008
Personal information
Full name Robert Owen Edwards[1]
Date of birth (1982-12-25) 25 December 1982 (age 42)[2]
Place of birth Telford, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back[3]
Team information
Current team
 Watford
Youth career
–1999 Aston Villa[4]
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
2018–2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers U23
2020–2021 England U16
2021–2022 Forest Green Rovers
2022– Watford
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Owen Edwards (born 25 December 1982) is a professional football manager and former player who played as a centre-back. He replaced Roy Hodgson as the head coach of Watford in May 2022. [5]

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 regularly for Barnsley in the Championship before retiring due to injury in 2013.

In his first managerial role, Edwards guided Forest Green Rovers to promotion as League Two Champions in the 2021–22 season.

Following his departure from Forest Green Rovers, he was appointed by Watford as Roy Hodgson's successor in May 2022.

Early life

Edwards was born in Telford, Shropshire.[3]

Club career

Aston Villa

Edwards 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.[6] 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.[7] Edwards went on to make nine appearances in total for the Villans, all during 2002–03. He was sent on loan to 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.[8]

Edwards then joined Derby County on loan in January 2004, where he stayed until the end of the season. He scored one goal for the club against Gillingham on 17 January, and played ten games.[9]

In May 2004, Edwards was told by then Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, that he could leave the club.[10]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Edwards made the short journey across the Midlands and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2004 in a three-year deal for £150,000.[11] His Molineux career made a slow start, after playing in the club's opening four league games following relegation from the Premier League, he suffered ankle ligament damage that kept him sidelined for almost six months.

The defender 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.[12] that kept him out of the season's end as the team made the play-offs.

On 5 September 2007, in a reserve team match against Walsall, he again suffered knee ligament injury.[13] He scored his first and only goal for Wolves on 9 February 2008 in a 4–2 home defeat to Stoke City.[14]

He was placed on the transfer list in May 2008, despite having one year still to run on his contract.[15]

Blackpool

On 6 August 2008, he left Wolves to join Blackpool, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year for an undisclosed fee.[16][17] 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.

On 29 August, Blackpool manager Simon Grayson confirmed that Edwards would be team captain for the season.[18][19] 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. During his first season, Grayson left as a Blackpool Manager to join Leeds United and Tony Parkes was the caretaker manager for Blackpool where he was manager until end of the season. Also, Edwards suffered an ankle injury but returned to training to re-establish his place in the side.

After Parkes left Blackpool over finances, Manager Ian Holloway took over. At the time, Edwards urged all the players to do their utmost to impress their new manager.[20] Under Holloway, Edwards made 21 appearances.

On 19 July 2010, he agreed a new contract with Blackpool, a one-year deal with an option for a further 12 months.[21] Edwards explained playing in the Premier League was the reason behind him signing a new contract at the club.[22] In November 2010, Edwards made his first Premier League appearance with Blackpool since the 2002/03 season when he faced his former club Aston Villa in a 3–2 loss.

Norwich City

On 21 February 2011, Edwards signed for Norwich City on loan until the end of the season.[23] He made his debut as a second-half substitute for Zak Whitbread in the 1–1 draw against Preston North End on 5 March 2011 and would go on to help the club clinch promotion to the Premier League.

Barnsley

After his release from Blackpool, Edwards was signed for Barnsley on a free transfer, becoming Keith Hill's seventh signing of the summer.[24] Edwards made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest on 21 February 2012.

After a short spell at Fleetwood Town earlier in the season, he joined Shrewsbury Town on loan on 31 January 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.[25] 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.[26]

Coaching career

Edwards during Jody Craddock's testimonial match in 2014

On 11 October 2013 he announced that he had retired from professional football at the age of 30.[27]

Edwards became Under 18s coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. His first season in charge (2014/2015) was considered to be very successful [28] and led to him being promoted to help Head Coach Kenny Jackett for the final two months of the season. Edwards was then promoted 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 Wolverhampton Wanderers following the sacking of Walter Zenga.[29] He took charge of two games – a 1–1 draw at Blackburn, followed by a 2–3 defeat to Derby – before Paul Lambert took charge. Edwards remained at a club in the role of first team coach until the conclusion of the season when he departed alongside Lambert.[30]

On 28 June 2017, Edwards was named as the new manager of AFC Telford United.[31]. The club 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.[32]

Edwards was appointed as the head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 on 20 July 2018.[33] In his first season in charge of the side, Edwards led the under-23s to promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1, the highest level of youth football, for the first time in Wolves' history.[34]

In October 2019, Edwards left Wolverhampton Wanderers to take up a 'prestigious role' with The Football Association working as a coach with the England U20s.[35] On 24 September 2020, Edwards was appointed as head coach for the England U16s.[36]

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.[37] 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.[38] He won the award for a second time for November 2021 following three wins from three.[39] Edwards then won the award for a third time for January 2022 after picking up 14 points from six matches, including a 4–0 thrashing away at second-placed Tranmere Rovers, moving ten points clear at the top of the league.[40] On 23 April 2022, Forest Green drew 0–0 away at Bristol Rovers to secure promotion to League One for the first time in the club's history.[41]

Following a hugely successful season, on 24 April 2022 Edwards was named the 2021–22 EFL League Two Manager of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony.[42] On 11 May 2022, Edwards departed the club following negotiations with Watford.[43]

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.[5]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 2002–03[44] Premier League 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2003–04[45] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Crystal Palace (loan) 2003–04[45] First Division 7 1 0 0 0 0 — 7 1
Derby County (loan) 2003–04[45] First Division 11 1 0 0 0 0 — 11 1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2004–05[46] Championship 17 0 0 0 1 0 — 18 0
2005–06[47] Championship 42 0 1 0 2 0 — 45 0
2006–07[48] Championship 33 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 36 0
2007–08[49] Championship 8 1 2 0 2 0 — 12 1
Total 100 1 5 0 6 0 0 0 111 1
Blackpool 2008–09[50] Championship 36 2 0 0 1 0 — 37 2
2009–10[51] Championship 21 0 1 0 3 0 1[a] 0 26 0
2010–11[52] Premier League 2 0 1 0 1 0 — 4 0
Total 59 2 2 0 5 0 1 0 67 2
Norwich City (loan) 2010–11[52] Championship 3 0 — — — 3 0
Barnsley 2011–12[53] Championship 17 0 0 0 1 0 — 18 0
2012–13[54] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 17 0 0 0 1 0 — 18 0
Fleetwood Town (loan) 2012–13[54] League Two 4 0 1 0 — — 5 0
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2012–13[54] League One 4 0 — — — 4 0
Career total 213 5 9 0 12 0 1 0 235 5
  1. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs

Managerial statistics

As of match played 7 May 2022[55]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Wolverhampton Wanderers (interim) 25 October 2016 5 November 2016 2 0 1 1 000.00
AFC Telford United 30 June 2017 4 May 2018 49 20 6 23 040.82
England U16 24 September 2020 5 June 2021 2 1 0 1 050.00
Forest Green Rovers 5 June 2021 11 May 2022 53 24 19 10 045.28
Total 106 45 26 35 042.45

Honours

As a player

Blackpool

As a manager

Forest Green Rovers

Individual

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. ^ a b "Rob Edwards: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Club Statement: Rob Edwards". Watford F.C. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Premiership clockwatch". BBC Sport. 28 December 2002. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  7. ^ "New deal for Edwards". BBC Sport. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  8. ^ "Crystal Palace 1–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 29 November 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  9. ^ "Derby 2–1 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 17 January 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  10. ^ "Edwards set to leave Villa". BBC Sport. 31 May 2004.
  11. ^ "Wolves seal Edwards deal". BBC Sport. 20 April 2004.
  12. ^ "Edwards eyes return in play-offs". BBC Sport. 19 April 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  13. ^ "Edwards sidelined by knee injury". BBC Sport. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  14. ^ "Wolverhampton 2–4 Stoke". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  15. ^ "Wolves have end-of-term clear-out". BBC Sport. 9 May 2008.
  16. ^ "Edwards Arrives!". Blackpool. 7 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  17. ^ "Blackpool sign defender Edwards". BBC Sport. 7 August 2008.
  18. ^ Canavan, Steve (29 August 2008). "Edwards confirmed as Pool skipper". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  19. ^ "Edwards Named New Pool Skipper". Blackpool. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ "Edwards out to impress". Sky Sports. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Edwards Agrees New Deal". Blackpool F.C. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  22. ^ "Edwards pens new Pool deal". Sky Sports. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  23. ^ "Canaries swoop for Edwards". Sky Sports. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  24. ^ "Tykes take Edwards". Sky Sports. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  25. ^ "Hughes targets Villa youngster". BBC Sport. 15 January 2003.
  26. ^ "Match Report – Wales 4 – 0 Azerbaijan". Football Association of Wales. 29 March 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  27. ^ "Former Wales and Wolves defender Rob Edwards announces his retirement from playing". Sky Sports. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  28. ^ "Rob Edwards excelling as a coach at Wolves".
  29. ^ "Walter Zenga: Wolves sack head coach after 87 days in charge". BBC Sport. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  30. ^ "Paul Lambert departs Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 30 May 2017.
  31. ^ "AFC Telford United are delighted to announce the arrival of a new manager in Rob Edwards". AFC Telford United. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  32. ^ "Rob Edwards leaves AFC Telford". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  33. ^ Edwards To Lead Under 23s, wolves.co.uk, 20 June 2018
  34. ^ Under-23s confirmed as league champions, wolves.co.uk, 29 April 2019
  35. ^ "Rob Edwards leaves Wolves to take up FA role". Express and Star. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  36. ^ "THE COACHING STAFF FOR OUR ENGLAND TEAMS DURING THE 2020-21 SEASON HAS BEEN CONFIRMED". 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Rob Edwards named Forest Green Rovers Head Coach". www.fgr.co.uk. 27 May 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Edwards and Stevens scoop league accolades". www.fgr.co.uk. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month: November winners!". www.efl.com. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  40. ^ a b "January's Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month winners!". www.efl.com. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Forest Green promoted to League One for first time". BBC Sport. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  42. ^ a b "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL.com. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  43. ^ "FGR confirms the departure of Head Coach Rob Edwards". www.fgr.co.uk. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  45. ^ a b c "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  47. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  49. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  50. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  51. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  54. ^ a b c "Games played by Rob Edwards in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  55. ^ "Managers: Rob Edwards". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  56. ^ Fletcher, Paul (22 May 2010). "Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  57. ^ "Forest Green: How Rob Edwards' Rovers secured 'fairy tale' promotion to League One". Sky Sports.
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