Rob Edwards comes from the Midlands and his family live in the Midlands. He has been a Wolves player, first-team coach, Under-18 and Under-23 and caretaker boss. Now he is manager. So far, so logical; so sentimental, too.
Edwards has traded up: a division, in one respect, a mere two places in the pyramid in another. And this is where it may be illogical, a case of heart ruling the head. Opta’s predicted league table may not take account of managerial change but it gives Wolves a 90.15 per cent chance of being relegated and Middlesbrough, the club he is leaving, a 30.68 per cent chance of automatic promotion and a 40.84 per cent chance of going up, including the play-offs. To put it another way, his best chance of managing in the Premier League next season might have entailed not taking charge of Wolves.
