As far as I’m aware that is true and Gibsons staff said they have never seen him so angry. He instructed security to strip Edward’s office and get rid of his effects immediately. He also told Rockliffe to,clear his living quarters and also bill him for the time he had spent there since he joined the club.
OFB
I think Gibson will ensure that whoever is appointed gets the funds to mount a realistic promotion squad to make sure that Edward’s will regret his decision
OFB
@original-fat-bob and so he should, good on him.
I accept my friends the disappointed in many of the responses here, and I understand, my thinking is Edwards had to make a choice, he made it based on personal reasons I don't believe it was any disrespect to Boro.
I am of that generation who remembers the great Jackie Charlton walking away and leaving us in the lurch ,just when we were close to reaching the dream ,
Looking back and what was disappointing he went off to manage other teams, that might be considered worse than what Edwards as done.
Yes Jackie brought us joy , brought us out of the wilderness, and were eternally greatfull, but let's be honest he did prove it was about him not the club
COB
Adi Viveash will remain as Middlesbrough’s interim boss as the club seek a replacement for Rob Edwards, who is set to join Wolves imminently.
Harry Watling will join Edwards at Wolves, but Viveash will remain on Teesside to take charge of the team whilst the recruitment process plays out.
The 56-year-old is also likely to be part of the club's new backroom staff set-up once a new manager is in place.
🗞️ The Northern Echo
The BBC says Wolves will pay Boro £3 million in compensation.
@clive-hurren. I have seen so many different figures quoted you just don’t know who to believe.
I would have thought RE is valued at the total cost of his salary to MFC over the length of his contract. I would then expect them to seek a premium on top of that figure as compensation for releasing him early; that assumes there are not specific release/compensation clauses in his contract. 😎
@original-fat-bob. Sorry to learn Watling is not staying. I wonder which players we might lose in January?😎
Adi Viveash will remain as Middlesbrough’s interim boss as the club seek a replacement for Rob Edwards, who is set to join Wolves imminently.
Harry Watling will join Edwards at Wolves, but Viveash will remain on Teesside to take charge of the team whilst the recruitment process plays out.
The 56-year-old is also likely to be part of the club's new backroom staff set-up once a new manager is in place.
🗞️ The Northern Echo
Do we get compensation for Watling leaving too?
The Northern Echo, again infront of the Gazette, quoting a four milion compensation payment. That sounds like a more realistic figure.
I think it was always assumed Watling would leave to jion Edwards. So, a reasonable ask from Martin, re compensation. However depends on his personal contract of course.
Does Watling going make it easier for the next imcoming head coach or even make it easier to attract the next head coach? Allowing him to bring in at least one of his own choice.
For me its between three, Mogga, Corberan, O Neil.
ANDY COLLETT JOINS MIDDLESBROUGH FC ❤️
Delighted to announce i have taken the role of Lead u9-16 GK Coach at Middlesbrough FC . A full circle moment really as i first started my coaching journey helping out coaching the keepers in the MFC School of Excellence whilst i was a 19 yr old 1st year pro at the club .
This is a job i really wanted, these are the age groups im really passionate about and its pretty much the perfect role.
The chance to help develop the next generation of MFC goalkeepers is one im very proud to accept and im absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity by the club and cant wait to get to started.
UTB❤️
I think it’s Brendan Rogers who believes in his teams keeping possession of the ball and playing a flowing passing and attacking game with the ball always moving; defensively, he likes his team to put a lot of pressure on the opposing team (sound familiar.?)
I’m also led,to believe by a Boro source that SG and BR are close friends !
WATCH THIS SPACE
OFB
@original-fat-bob yes heard that about the friendship between Rogers and Gibson.
I certainly wouldnt turn my nose up with Rogers.
I’m not sure Corboran would leave Valencia, which was his boyhood club, but he does have good experience in the Champo with both Huddersfield and WBA. At the former he had a win percentage of 37.25 (102 games in charge), and at The Baggies a creditable score of 43.93% from 107 games. He would be on my short-list.
My favourite would be Lee Carsley, though we haven’t much idea about how well he would manage at club level, I suppose, which makes him a risk.
Then there’s Steve Cooper, who is still available, I believe. He did an excellent job at Forest.
Somebody mentioned Dave Challinor at Stockport. He seems to be doing an excellent job. But somebody also said Gibson has never yet poached a working manager from another club. I don’t know how true that is, but if it’s a moral scruple of his, then it’s one I would admire. However, that would put a block on Challinor, and on my final, somewhat left-field choice: Derek McInnes at Hearts. They’re 7 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. He had a good record at Aberdeen, winning the League Cup in 2014, and finishing League runners-up 4 times. He achieved a remarkable win % of 53+ with the club. However, he was less successful at Bristol City, whom he managed from 2011-2013. I think he’s worth a shout, nonetheless.
I think Mogga has been too ill. For all his many positives, I would worry about his health, and his recent managerial record has also been a bit too chequered. I’d love him back at the club in some capacity, but not as manager.
If it’s Gary O’Neil you’re thinking of, PJ, then not in a million years. He still has all the baggage from when he was a player here, he was awful at the start of last season with Wolves, and his team suffered from very poor discipline. The words have, wouldn’t and lucky bag spring to mind!
Rogers would want full Autonomy,how would that stand with Viveash ,
I think Scott will have a portfolio of possible coaches to chose from.
The thing is who is out there with the right credentials, someone whose had some success, I think Rogers is burnt out, we need a young enthusiastic type , someone who understands a team format , and gets the players on board ,infact looks like we need two .
Don't we need a goalkeepr coach at the first team level, too? After Alan Fettis left in September 2025, we have been looking for one. So there again, more changes at Rockcliffe.ANDY COLLETT JOINS MIDDLESBROUGH FC ❤️
Delighted to announce i have taken the role of Lead u9-16 GK Coach at Middlesbrough FC . A full circle moment really as i first started my coaching journey helping out coaching the keepers in the MFC School of Excellence whilst i was a 19 yr old 1st year pro at the club .
This is a job i really wanted, these are the age groups im really passionate about and its pretty much the perfect role.
The chance to help develop the next generation of MFC goalkeepers is one im very proud to accept and im absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity by the club and cant wait to get to started.
UTB❤️
At least we cannot say it is another boring International break on Teesside 🤣. Up the Boro!
I am looking forward to the press conference in the unveiling of Edwards as Wolves manager, will be interesting to hear him speak in which i am sure he will be asked about leaving MFC, i am sure he will come across as being remorseful in leaving and speak highly of the club, Gibson and its supporters, I hear the quote, this is the only club i would have left Middlesbrough for.
Despite everything i still cant bring myself to despise Edwards, i like many others feel extremely let down but i am being genuine when i say i wouldnt want to see him struggle - at least i think that is how i feel.
Just catching up again on the posts after having a day off football yesterday - some very good posts as we enter the next phase of the rumour game and who knows who it will be or whether it will be a quick process to identify a successor to Edwards.
I suspected Watling would be off to Wolves too after reading it was always Edwards' plan that he was to join the coaching staff but glad Adi Viveash is set to remain and steady the ship - especially after masterminding that vital win on Saturday - though didn't Watling also join in with the fist pumping with the supporters at the Riverside? Must've forgot he was joining his old gaffer...
In terms of the compensation, a sum of around £4m sounds about right as I think if it had gone to arbitration then the max would've been the value of Edwards contract. There are certainly mixed views on whether Edwards should've accepted the move but perhaps Gibson's reported reaction is closer to how the club believe he acted - we shouldn't forget his career was looking to be heading south after 2 relegations with Luton and it's fair to say he wouldn't have even been considered for Wolves if he hadn't been in charge of a Boro side sitting near the top of the table.
Though the prevailing view of people in football appears to have been a combination of cynical realism and putting yourself first is the order of the day. And let's face it, Edwards has just secured himself a whopping three-and-a-half year contract on big PL money and will now be living at home every day. I suspect he didn't have to think for more than a few seconds before ditching his new Teesside 'family' that he had spoke so highly of.
We possibly shouldn't really pay any attention to all that gushing nonsense that gets spewed out by football people as they try to ingratiate themselves with the supporters of their latest team - most are gone within months and then it's rinse and repeat at the next job - faking sincerity is all part of the game - in truth what else are they supposed to say as the PR media machine gets cranked up... "I suppose it's alright here, at least it's a job until something better comes up" - it's a fine line to tread between sociopathy and the brutal honesty of someone like Chris Wilder, who didn't give a monkey's if he was liked.
Maybe Edwards was just telling everyone what they wanted to hear and did it with a smile of faked sincerity to get the feel-good factor - perhaps we should've appreciated more Michael Carrick's genuine dullness in front of the media as someone who preferred to do their talking on the pitch.
Football management is simply a brutal game of survival versus opportunity! Anyway, no doubt we'll be hoping the next man with charisma arrives soon and starts getting everyone to believe in them again.
I have no preference as yet but only hope they are a fit for what we currently have at the club - the Boro squad are still second without even playing that well yet - it must be a decent job for someone who knows what they are doing - if they stick around of course...
Disappointment in the outcome and in looking with hindsight on someones behaviour is understandable, but I agree with PJ's stance that we cannot despise him. That actually is a very unpleasant and (in my opinion) an unecessary emotion to show. What none of us can know is that none of what he had to say and do was not actually genuine in the moment, when he would have had absolutely no expectation of the opportunity that materialised. We are all allowed to change our minds and he has. Good luck to him. He is the one that has to live with consequences of his decision. However, I certainly do not wish Wolverhamption Wanderers well as it is that club, not really RE himself, that upset the apple cart. Compare and contrast with Steve Gibson's ethic, never to approach someone who is in a job already.
Still, the reaction of all parties will be interesting should the Boro get drawn at home to Wolves in the cup !!!
Basically, Edwards hadn't been around long enough to get attached to him but then again most of us have never met him so have no personal relationship - contrast that with Steve Gibson who has probably spent hours with him and truly believed in what he was told by him and saw this as a long-term relationship - his sense of betrayal must be palpable - or indeed Scott who championed him - his embarrassment will have dented his future feeling of influence. Though credit to whoever got Viveash on board as that has ameliorated the situation.
Fantastic post Werdermouth.Just catching up again on the posts after having a day off football yesterday - some very good posts as we enter the next phase of the rumour game and who knows who it will be or whether it will be a quick process to identify a successor to Edwards.
I suspected Watling would be off to Wolves too after reading it was always Edwards' plan that he was to join the coaching staff but glad Adi Viveash is set to remain and steady the ship - especially after masterminding that vital win on Saturday - though didn't Watling also join in with the fist pumping with the supporters at the Riverside? Must've forgot he was joining his old gaffer...
In terms of the compensation, a sum of around £4m sounds about right as I think if it had gone to arbitration then the max would've been the value of Edwards contract. There are certainly mixed views on whether Edwards should've accepted the move but perhaps Gibson's reported reaction is closer to how the club believe he acted - we shouldn't forget his career was looking to be heading south after 2 relegations with Luton and it's fair to say he wouldn't have even been considered for Wolves if he hadn't been in charge of a Boro side sitting near the top of the table.
Though the prevailing view of people in football appears to have been a combination of cynical realism and putting yourself first is the order of the day. And let's face it, Edwards has just secured himself a whopping three-and-a-half year contract on big PL money and will now be living at home every day. I suspect he didn't have to think for more than a few seconds before ditching his new Teesside 'family' that he had spoke so highly of.
We possibly shouldn't really pay any attention to all that gushing nonsense that gets spewed out by football people as they try to ingratiate themselves with the supporters of their latest team - most are gone within months and then it's rinse and repeat at the next job - faking sincerity is all part of the game - in truth what else are they supposed to say as the PR media machine gets cranked up... "I suppose it's alright here, at least it's a job until something better comes up" - it's a fine line to tread between sociopathy and the brutal honesty of someone like Chris Wilder, who didn't give a monkey's if he was liked.
Maybe Edwards was just telling everyone what they wanted to hear and did it with a smile of faked sincerity to get the feel-good factor - perhaps we should've appreciated more Michael Carrick's genuine dullness in front of the media as someone who preferred to do their talking on the pitch.
Football management is simply a brutal game of survival versus opportunity! Anyway, no doubt we'll be hoping the next man with charisma arrives soon and starts getting everyone to believe in them again.
I have no preference as yet but only hope they are a fit for what we currently have at the club - the Boro squad are still second without even playing that well yet - it must be a decent job for someone who knows what they are doing - if they stick around of course...
Thanks PJ!
@powmillnaemore They're very admirable sentiments but I think the bulk of Boro supporters would desperately hope Edwards struggles at Wolves. His behaviour has been atrocious - I was one of the majority who did not want him and then quickly came around to him, mostly due to his words which turned out not to be true. And yes, who knows whether he meant them at the time but the point is that we all bought into them. And that damns him.
This is nothing like anyone else who has ever left the club under a cloud (Merson, Ziege and Rav et al) as they did not sell the direction and unity of the club by words, as Edwards did. He sold us out for money alone, nothing else had changed since the summer.
Many fans will, very understandably despise Edwards and that's fair enough. They/we have been betrayed and this is where that leads. (Merson, for example, still irks me when he appears on TV. although this could just be his general stupidity rather than smouldering resentment. Or not.)
Emotion is a huge part of football and we have to accept both ends of the spectrum for better or worse. And if the worst Edwards faces from Boro is being despised by a good number of the fans, then he has got off lightly.
That said, I feel the best way we can all move on is to remove him from all thought and discussion and focus on the fact that we're in second spot and may soon land a much better boss.
Although the last time we were second and looking for a new manager, we ended up with Gordon Strachan...
@rich-llewelyn-evans I think that's another interesting point you make at the start of your post.
I suspect those that are most angry with the situation are those, like yourself, who were won over by him. Naturally there must be a feeling of betrayal to have come around to him.
Perhaps I'm less bothered because I didn't like his football and am pretty happy to have him leave.
I really think this could be a blessing for us.
@andy-r thanks Andy. I'm coming round to the fact that there are many upsides to his departure but still feel we've been done.
There is no disguising that results have been better than performances and the attacking balance is badly awry.
I'm calming down (slowly) and will buy into your, very sensible, outlook very shortly.
Rich - fully understand your sentiment but i just cant despise him or wish any badness towards him but yes i feel very let down and very annoyed.
The thing for me is that Gary O Neil takes the Wolves job Edwards would still be here and possibly the fans chanting his name because he initially said his only thought was Boro and this is his club.
On the positive, that solidarity shown on Saturday could just be something that really fires our season and in truth that solidarity was only present because of how well Edwards did in getting the whole club together in the first place which he certainly deserves some recognition.
We will move on, we see every week in football these things happening across all clubs, players kissing the badge and having the best manager they have ever had ( Akpom, Lath ) or coaches who are here because they love the club ( Danks, Watling ).
@rich-llewelyn-evans I absolutely get it, I really do. However, for me the most important thing now is what you also conclude in your post, that the best thing to do is to focus on us. Let us not waste the emotional energy, although that is not really easy to do when following your football club is all about emotion!! In wishing the worst for Wolverhamption Wanderers I am also hoping he fails in his new job, but for me that it is not strictly speaking, a personal grudge.
I have alluded in some previous posts in this thread that I actually feel more optimistic about the season now that he has gone. This is a great opportunity for Boro and, as AndyR says, this could prove to be a blessing for us.
@powmillnaemore thanks Powmill, I will follow your lead and move onwards and upwards.