May 11, (THEWILL) – Relegated side, Watford, has confirmed the appointment of Rob Edwards as the club’s new Head Coach, effective after the conclusion of the current 2021/2022 season.
Edwards’ contract allowed him to leave current club Forest Green Rovers at any moment to negotiate job options with other teams, and the Hornets expressed their happiness with the conversations they had with the manager.
The 39-year-old became Head Coach of Forest Green Rovers in 2021, and his exciting brand of football helped the Gloucestershire team to the top of Sky Bet League Two earlier this month, winning the division for the first time in the club’s history.
Such was the sensational progress recorded under his guidance that the EFL rewarded him for his efforts by awarding him League Two Manager of the Season.
Long before his managerial career, Edwards made his professional debut for Aston Villa in December 2002, just after his 20th birthday. Injury cut short a great playing career that included stops at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackpool after just over a decade.
Edwards moved swiftly into coaching responsibilities, starting with the Wolves academy. He coached the Under-18 and Under-23 teams, as well as serving as acting manager of the first squad in 2016.
His success with the Wolves’ Under-23s earned him promotion to the Premier League 2, the highest division in English youth football, and he went on to become Head Coach of England’s U-16 team as well as a coach in the Young Lions’ U-20s squad.
Next season in the Championship, he will take charge of the squad that will include a Nigerian in all departments of the Watford squad. By that time, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will have joined defender William Ekong-Troost, midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and striker Emmanuel Dennis to complete a strong Super Eagles’ presence in the side.
He will be charged with taking the Hornets straight back up into the top flight once again and possibly ensuring that everything possible is done to remain in the Premiership rather than slide back into the Championship the following season.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
