Rob Edwards ‘core principles’ admission Middlesbrough will love
Former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has spoken about his tactical beliefs
It has been quite an eventual few years for Rob Edwards. He may be still only 42 but already he has seen all the football has to offer – the highs as well as the lows.
The former Luton Town is believed to be one of the leading contenders to replace Michael Carrick in the Middlesbrough hotseat after the club took the decision to part company with the ex-Manchester United star at the start of June.
The Teessiders have big ambitions to return to the Premier League in the very near future, with whoever they appoint under no illusions over what will be expected from them. Therefore it’s no surprise to see those with experience of winning promotion from the Championship linked with the job, with Edwards joined by the likes of Steve Cooper and Sean Dyche in the bookies’ shortlst.
Edwards guided Luton to the Premier League for the first time in 2023 after beating Coventry City in the play-off final, and bloodied a few elite noses during their one season in the top flight. The gap proved too much in the end, but the Hatters made a good fist of survival, finishing just six points away from safety.
Of course this last season was one to forget, with Luton continue in a downwards spiral. Relegation to League One was confirmed long after Edwards had left Kenilworth Road, but he may feel he has something to prove in his next role.
But what would he bring to Middlesbrough, or indeed any other side – Edwards has also been linked with the Bristol City job – when his next appointment comes?
Speaking ahead of Luton’s first Premier League season, Edwards spoke to the Coaches’ Voice to give an insight into his philosophy and tactics, and it offers a strong hint on what Boro could expect.
He made the switch to Luton from rivals Watford in 2022, having previously guiding Forest Green Rovers to League One, and spoke about setting an ethos at the club.
“I think the key thing for us was to go in and show a level of humility,” he said of his arrival at Luton. “It wasn’t about Luton becoming the Rob Edwards show.
“The lads had been doing great under Nathan (Jones), and we wanted to keep that going. It was a case of playing to our strengths, and making sure we were sticking to a few core principles: if we lose the ball, we want five-second regains; if it’s a recovery run, it’s a sprint; fast support whenever we have the ball. If I can see those three things, I know that we’re working hard.”
Rob Edwards celebrates Luton Town’s promotion at Wembley
Edwards was able to build on the momentum already at Luton and explained how he managed to get his side into the play-offs – something which eluded Boro last term.
“Between the end of January and the middle of March, we won six of 10 league games – and they were all 1-0,” he added. “A lot of those games were tight and came down to really fine margins, like Sheffield United away. In a couple, though – Swansea and Bristol City at home – we created a lot of chances and probably should have scored two or three.
“But we didn’t, and then it comes down to the whole team to keep the clean sheets that get you over the line. That means working hard to press aggressively from the front and, if we lose the ball, reacting quickly to win it back.
“We did that well, but then we actually enjoyed the defending side of the game: the blocks, the headers, clearing the box.
“These are things that people might not talk about much, and I get that it’s not sexy, but they are really important in terms of winning football matches. We did them as well as anyone in the league.”
No doubt he will extoll the same prinicples should an interview with the Boro hierarchy appear in his diary.
Finn Azaz of Middlesbrough scores the opening goal and celebrates
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