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Wolves are making an approach for Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards, but previous comments from the coach could mean he rejects a move.

TBR Football previously revealed that Wolves were looking at Edwards as a potential replacement for Vitor Pereira.

Now, after Gary O’Neil walked away from a Molineux return, the Boro boss is understood to be their top target.

It emerged on Thursday that the Midlands outfit are readying a formal approach for the 42-year-old, and TBR Football understood Boro sporting director Kieran Scott is of interest as well.

Middlesbrough are currently third in the Championship after 14 games, one point off the automatic promotion places, and losing Edwards at this stage of the season would be a big blow.

However, previous comments made by him may suggest that taking the Wolves job right now, despite his connections to the club, wouldn’t be appealing.

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Why Rob Edwards may reject Wolves to stay at Middlesbrough

The Teessiders confirmed the appointment of Edwards on June 24 after parting ways with ex-Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick.

He gave his first interview as Middlesbrough boss the same day, and one comment seems especially relevant right now.

Edwards said: “Coming out of Luton, I needed some time, and I knew that if I was going to go back in, I wanted it to be somewhere we had a chance, and I feel we’ve got a really good chance here.”

Middlesbrough have been a top-half Championship side for several years, and regardless of who was in charge this season, they were expected to challenge for the play-offs.

So, Edwards’ point about going somewhere he has ‘a chance’ made a lot of sense.

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However, do Wolves really have a proper chance of avoiding Premier League relegation this season?

They are the only team yet to win a league fixture in 2025/26, they have scored the joint-fewest goals (seven along with Nottingham Forest), and have the worst defensive record in the top flight (22 conceded).

Furthermore, they are already eight points adrift of 17th-place Burnley with a much worse goal difference.

Can Wolves pull off a great escape? It’s still possible, but that may not be a risk Edwards wants to take.

He has endured a tough couple of years as a manager, suffering Premier League relegation with Luton, and then leaving the Hatters midway through 2024/25 when they were vastly underperforming in the Championship before eventually suffering a second relegation in as many seasons.

Even if Boro don’t finish in the top two come May, they seem very likely to secure a play-off place under Edwards, and that would be a successful campaign.

With the Wolves job, however, there is a lot more risk, and that may well be something the ex-Luton boss wants to avoid right now as he looks to find his feet in the dugout once more.