Rovers Appoint Edwards as Manager


By Deadly Submarine
May 27 2014

 

 

 

 

 

The wait was finally over for Rovers fans this morning with the early morning announcement that Rob Edwards is the new Manager at the Club ahead of our first fourth tier League campaign for 26 years in the 2014/15 season.

The English born former Wales international recently left fellow League Two side Exeter City and has reportedly turned down a position at a Premier League club in order to take charge at Prenton Park

Edwards is a 40 year old former Carlisle United trainee whose playing career took him to Bristol City, Preston North End, Blackpool and Exeter City – just five clubs in a 21 year professional career.

Edwards has previously been assistant manager at Exeter City where he played a key role as the club won successive promotions to rise from the Conference to League One and following that he was also a key figure in assisting the Devon club towards its best placed finish in League One (8th place) in 2011 which saw the Grecians finish just one point outside the play-off places.

Edwards Rob

Rob Edwards pictured in his playing days for Exeter City before becoming a coach with the Devon Club

 

During his career at St James’s Park, Rob has also managed the club's development squad which saw Exeter produce players that were sold for big money , something that will seemingly fit in well with the new philosophy at Prenton Park to produce and utilise good young players.

Speaking of Edwards’ appointment as Manager at Tranmere, Tranmere Rovers Chief Executive Jeremy Butler told Tranmere Rovers Official Website…..

"We drew up a profile for our new manager before we began an extensive search and Rob fills all of the criteria. We want a manager capable of winning promotion but also one able to improve our current bright young talents, as well as putting in place a pathway to bring through more players from our Academy.”

"Rob has an excellent track record of developing players and we expect his determination to play a style of vibrant attacking football next season will produce a successful campaign. He has expert knowledge of League Two football and the players and systems we will come up against, as well as the experience of mounting a push for promotion from League One."

"Our aim was to find a young, hungry manager with the drive to lead Tranmere Rovers forward. We were aware that Russ Wilcox had stepped up from assistant manager at Scunthorpe to guide the Iron to promotion in his first season and have watched Graham Alexander take Fleetwood up in his first year in the job. Now we are looking forward to seeing Rob shape our future with some exciting new signings expected in the near future."

The Club also confirmed this morning that former caretaker Manager John McMahon will continue in his role as assistant manager with Dave Timmins also carrying on his work as goalkeeping coach.

Prior to today’s announcement, the Club confirmed yesterday that youngster Jake Kirby has signed a new two year deal to remain at Prenton Park until 2017

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TT Verdict:   After a difficult 18 months for the Club and its supporters, capped most recently by the loss of our 20 goal striker Ryan Lowe to rival League Two side Bury, today’s announcement gives the kind of boost everyone needed and the appointment of Rob Edwards certainly fits in with the new ethos that those at the top of our club are trying to instill.

There may be some concern amongst fans that Edwards will be a ‘yes man’ for those at the top but a rookie, young Manager with fresh ideas and a reputation for bringing through and developing young talent as well as experience of gaining promotions both out of the Conference and of League Two as assistant manager certainly seem like just the assets Rovers needed in their new appointment. It makes for an exciting appointment and hopefully the start of a new era all round! 

Let’s get behind Rob and the players from the off next season and we wish him good luck!

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Rovers Appoint Edwards as Manager
Discussion started by Total Tranmere (IP Logged), 27/05/2014 12:52
Total Tranmere
Total Tranmere
27/05/2014 12:52
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iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 08:07
!!!!!!

goosed
goosed
27/05/2014 08:13
Who ??? Wot the f...... Who the f.. Is he ???

iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 08:14
no one saw that coming:

[www.bbc.com]

goosed
goosed
27/05/2014 08:17
Defo no1 did, so much for people saying i know this and i know that ?? Lol

iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 08:18
i'm impressed that the new regime managed to keep this so quiet ! a good sign i think

goosed
goosed
27/05/2014 08:20
Suppose we just have to see what happens from now on

mini_andy
mini_andy
27/05/2014 08:23
Good luck to the guy, seams to be a proven coach wanting to take the next step.

Rob Edwards SWA!!!

iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 08:27
Koumas must have appreciated the Welsh element me thinks, and me likes :-)

Shaumbra
Shaumbra
27/05/2014 08:33
(Saw this online)

The newly-relegated League Two side have clinched the former Wales international's signature after he turned down the chance to manage a Premier League club.

"I would like to thank everyone at the club for this fantastic opportunity," Edwards told the club's official website. "I've worked hard for this chance and feel I've been ready to manage for some time.

"I've ready to put into practice the skills I've learned from 25 years in the game that has seen me work with, and learn from, some superb managers and excellent players. I believe I can develop a team at Tranmere Rovers the whole club, and the whole of Wirral can be proud of."

The 41-year-old recently left his role at Exeter City, where he helped guide the club to successive promotions from the Conference to League One.

i wonder how true this is....he turned down the chance to manage a premier league club???

iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 08:34
manage maybe not, work in maybe yes

Ingleboro08
Ingleboro08
27/05/2014 08:40
I really don't know what to think about this appointment. A new manager, but no clean out of staff and players. Johnny Mc is still assistant. Dave Timmo etc.
We will see, I hope it works but I have my doubts as the people instrumental in our relegation bar a few changes are still here.
Good Luck Rob, you are going to need it!

Allwhite7
Allwhite7
27/05/2014 08:51
Apparently he got exeter u21's into the quarter final of the u21 cup last year. Not bad goin that - its what we all wanted i think someone hungry and looking to bring the kids on! SWA

Aussiepete
Aussiepete
27/05/2014 08:56
I think this could be a great appointment. Afterall, it's what many fans on this forum have been calling for: "a young manager with good coaching skills, and no past history with the club, having a desire to develop young academy players into first team regulars (similar to Southampton) and someone who wants the team to play high energy, entertaining, attacking football (no more big boot up the field)."
Come on SWA - lets take off our negative hats and lets start being positive - this could be the beginning of something really good - hold on for the ride!! And right from the outset lets get behind Rob Edwards and give him 100% support.

davep63
davep63
27/05/2014 09:02
At long last the Waite is over and rob Edwards is a very good call IMO. S.W.A

Jack of all Trades
Jack of all Trades
27/05/2014 09:07
Was assistant to Paul Tisdale at Exeter, a respected young manager and should be used to working on a small budget.

Interesting appointment, so now it's concluded look forward to seeing the squad take shape and getting behind the new regime.

Croydonwhite
Croydonwhite
27/05/2014 09:13
Great! The speculation is over. Now let us see how good he is at moulding a squad to meet his ambition given the pittance he is going to have available to spend on players.

Is anyone starting a sweep on when the first "Edwards out" post is seen on this site?

Every ball's a White ball!

ste25yearsafan
ste25yearsafan
27/05/2014 09:13
Great forward thinking from the board, look out for some exeter youngsters coming up to the Wirral, good on you Jeremy. Lets get positive now and prepare for an exciting campaign

Davis887
Davis887
27/05/2014 09:17
Well done Jeremy appoint a new up and coming manager, no one had that name in the hat!!!lets get behind Rob and give him the chance he is clearly relishing!
SWA

will_hunting
will_hunting
27/05/2014 09:17
lets back him and give him ago, i`m not happy about mcmahon staying put i wanted a clean slate, but never mind, i`m happy to give this lad a chance, i must be getting old for the first time in my life rovers have a manager younger than me (Sm18)

stewinoz
stewinoz
27/05/2014 09:24
hopefully a good appointment but how is JM still on the payroll ??? must have some compromising pics of PJ (Sm128)

Hoots Mon
Hoots Mon
27/05/2014 09:24
I've been calling for a young manager with fresh new ideas. We have the first part-that's a good start.

Great appointment and it now looking forward to the coming season again. Slight concern the Jmac and Timmins etc are still there, but....... Lets do this!

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn81/tranmererovers_fan/gloucesterrugby.jpg

Jack of all Trades
Jack of all Trades
27/05/2014 09:42
Unfortunately, John Mac and Timmins are still under contract and to remove them would have cost money, money better spent on the squad.

The new manager will give them a chance but, dont be surprised if when contracts expire changes are made, unless of course we are doing well in League 2

Anyone know how long their respective contracts are?

iagoapcen
iagoapcen
27/05/2014 09:55
they signed two and a half year ones with ronnie i think so another season...

MESSAGES->author
TranmereFan
27/05/2014 10:06
An interesting one, got to give him full backing until proven wrong i guess. Suprised JMc is still there tho, usually have their own crew when a manager comes in. Time will tell. SWA

tfc4ever
tfc4ever
27/05/2014 10:08
we need to give him time though it takes mangers time to cement this type of style of play into the squad

Superwhite73
Superwhite73
27/05/2014 11:30
At least it news. A step forward. Got to give the bloke a chance. His signings over the nxt month or two will be interesting. I wanted someone young, new and fresh so I suppose my wish has come true. Feel much better being a superwhite now than I did a few days ago. Actually looking forward to next season again.... SWA.

icantbelieveitsnottranmere
icantbelieveitsnottranmere
27/05/2014 11:33
Quote:
Croydonwhite
Great! The speculation is over. Now let us see how good he is at moulding a squad to meet his ambition given the pittance he is going to have available to spend on players.
Is anyone starting a sweep on when the first "Edwards out" post is seen on this site?

Sorry that someone had to put a negative slant on the new
appointment.

He has a clean sheet with no previous dealings with TRFC.
Wish him all the best for the coming season.His credentials fit what a lot of fans were looking for.

Kennel
Kennel
27/05/2014 12:14
I see there is some confusion re. his age....BBC Sport and Sky Sports have him down as 41 but Wikipedia has his D.O.B. as 25 dec 1982 which makes him only 31 which I believe is correct as he played with Koumas in the same Welsh side.He is a strong character...played centre half and was Simon Graysons captain whilst at Blackpool....looking forward to a new era at Prenton Park.

Allwhite7
Allwhite7
27/05/2014 12:15
Different rob edwards that! Thus one is definately 41

Allwhite7
Allwhite7
27/05/2014 12:19
I think the one you are thinking if played for Wolves and villa - our one was carlisle preston bristol city and blackpool

MESSAGES->author
TT Admin
27/05/2014 12:21
He's actually only 40 even though Tranmere's site said 41. His birthday is July making him 40 for another month or so!

Superwhite73
Superwhite73
27/05/2014 12:22
Waiting for it. When will the negativity start. Won't mention any names but got an idea who will be amongst the first. Lets just wait and see!!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:27:12:25:11 by Superwhite73.

mini_andy
mini_andy
27/05/2014 12:49
Just been on the Exeter board, and they speak very highly of him which is a good sign

dafydd1939
dafydd1939
27/05/2014 14:40
What a great choice. I congratulsate the Board on this imaginative choice. Good coaching record Lots of experience of League two clubs,Young manager wanting to bring on youth development Used to working in a tight budget,one who has other clubs interested in employing him and he is Welsh. I wonder what FFon Williams, Mooney, Koumas etc will say, they can only be pleased with the appontment of a Welshman and want to support him.Iechyd da. Rob

tran67
tran67
27/05/2014 15:11
Am pleased with this choice,as JB says he ticks all the boxes for the type of manager the club &other fans want.Don't see McMahon staying as a minus like some people,maybe RE wants someone as assistant to show him how things are at the club & help him settle in.Think he is a good assistant,some are good at assisting,but not as manager,& JM did say the club needed to change,so maybe him,JB & RE could be a good team,seem to be reading off the page,maybe in the future we could see Koumas taking over from McMahon or getting a coaching role,we don't know if it is just JM running down his contract.We shall see,but meanwhile,give them a chance & get behind the team,&don't get negative,it may take time to implement the new structure & ethos & see positive results

DevonExile
DevonExile
27/05/2014 15:25
Unexpected.It is for me a wait and see appointment as it is impossible to tell what he will be like as a manager as it is very much a rookie appointment.I would have been more excited if it had been Paul Tisdale, but at least he will have worked under a good manager
It would be wrong to prejudge him but equally some of our posters are crediting more to his career than can be justified.It is pure spin to claim that he has produced young talent that has been sold on. I live near Exeter and I am struggling to think of a single young player in recent years for which Exeter has received a significant fee. It is true that the club try to bring youngsters through but with very mixed success and they have struggled in recent years. It is certainly not a set up that matches Crewe. As for the premier league link, it may be possible that Edwards had the chance of some junior backroom role at a premier club but nothing more than this.

Too much hype will not help Edwards. He will need time and may make mistakes initially,over hype always leads to over criticism.

The West Country is something of a footballing backwater, and I suspect that he will need to develop links.

My big regret is that the poor guy is going to be stuck with the same backroom team. We need a real clear out and an effective scouting system.

It is fair to assume that Edwards falls into the category of just about as cheap as you can get. He may be none the worse for that, but the appointment,in the absence of any other restructuring does not convince me that it provides evidence of a board that is re-energised. My gut feeling is that if Edwards does well it will be despite the Board and not because of it.
Exeter has struggled since being relegated, and narrowly held onto its league status.I am hoping that as a club we are not planning for survival but for promotion



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:27:15:43:26 by DevonExile.

Journeyman79
Journeyman79
27/05/2014 16:56
Fantastic appointment. Now let's all get behind him!

ROBBIE EDWARDS SUPER WHITE ARMY!!

BERNIE236
BERNIE236
27/05/2014 17:04
WELL DONE JEREMY!!! GOOD LUCK ROB SWA

MESSAGES->author
Matt34
27/05/2014 18:07
Edwards said in an interview he had tried to get a couple of jobs with lesser clubs but failed, so the Premier league link is probably minor backroom only, not manager, as I cannot see why a premier league club would try to appoint someone who was assistant to a league 2 manager, as opposed to being the actual manager, when they could afford riches to bring in a championship manager or a costly foreigner.

Edwards may be cheaper than Moore, but if so that potentially could work in his favour, if salary savings were plowed back into the budget.

A good appointment and with any luck there may be at least one new signing within the next 2 weeks.

The only thing I noticed was in his interview, where he seemed quite softly spoken, so how he might command the players or get his point across without sounding a little bit meek, remains to be seen, but I have a good feeling about this.

He may even be the sort of person that might just make Fon Williams feel even more like staying, as he signed partly because of Timmins, but he might also stay, partly because of a manager who has played for Wales, even though he is listed as being born in Kendal.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

GUAR
GUAR
27/05/2014 18:37
I understand that some people may have some concerns about employing an untried and untested manager for our club. But you need to cut your teeth somewhere because, for those who have concerns there is not a box of brand new, young managers with all the experience of a tried and tested manager!
He has by all sounds of it gone through the ranks and worked at all different levels at pro clubs. So it is not as if he has finished playing in May and starting to coach straight away.
An example of this albeit on a different level look at Pep Guardiola, as we know he was at Barca youth level etc and was given the top job and has not looked back since.
The whole management philosophy is changing with new and younger bosses coming in left right and centre, so it is only right that they be given time to have a crack at a first team to gain the valuable experience of coaching a football club.
So to end my soap box rant, we now know who is the new boss, lets get behind him, get the morale back into the club and fans because if he feels loved from the off, it'll only make it better for everyone!!!

MESSAGES->author
Doogie'sGhost
27/05/2014 18:46
Quote:
GUAR
I understand that some people may have some concerns about employing an untried and untested manager for our club. But you need to cut your teeth somewhere because, for those who have concerns there is not a box of brand new, young managers with all the experience of a tried and tested manager!
He has by all sounds of it gone through the ranks and worked at all different levels at pro clubs. So it is not as if he has finished playing in May and starting to coach straight away.
An example of this albeit on a different level look at Pep Guardiola, as we know he was at Barca youth level etc and was given the top job and has not looked back since.
The whole management philosophy is changing with new and younger bosses coming in left right and centre, so it is only right that they be given time to have a crack at a first team to gain the valuable experience of coaching a football club.
So to end my soap box rant, we now know who is the new boss, lets get behind him, get the morale back into the club and fans because if he feels loved from the off, it'll only make it better for everyone!!!

But the last time we tried this we got... Dave Watson. While I can't really comment on someone I know little about, his CV seems sound enough and at least it shows that the club are thinking about trying something different. A tentative thumbs up from me.

GUAR
GUAR
27/05/2014 19:00
Yes I did think about Watson but correct me if I'm wrong he went straight from playing into the hot seat, without any long term coaching role full time. I know he did take over short term at Everton and may have been involved coaching bit part whilst playing, but you can't concentrate fully on one job whilst doing both playing & coaching.
So I think this is a different scenario with Edwards, I hope he has a positive influence like the majority of young managers coming through are doing at different clubs.
I think they are doing well because the mind set of young players has changed dramatically, they will listen to somebody who is young, enthusiastic and has an understanding of the evolving modern game. Long gone I feel is the fear factor of feeling the wrath of the gaffer ruling the roost in the dressing room. The modern players are precious and will respond when the manager rips into them every now and again, instead of all the time.

Hoots Mon
Hoots Mon
27/05/2014 19:06
Quote:
GUAR
But the last time we tried this we got... Dave Watson. While I can't really comment on someone I know little about, his CV seems sound enough and at least it shows that the club are thinking about trying something different. A tentative thumbs up from me.


Watson was always in trouble from the moment he took over because of his Everton connections.

the kav
the kav
27/05/2014 19:16
Guardiola, ferguson and cloughall have one thing in common..... at one point they were young untried managers who were shock appointments. Perhaps a good sign, either way a cracking appointment now its down to us to give the guy a fair crack of the whip and get behind him.

Good luck mate!!!!!

Johntyponty
Johntyponty
27/05/2014 20:18
Good luck I say.

MESSAGES->author
bigmart
27/05/2014 20:32
Looks a good appointment in the making, happy with this. Now onto rebuilding the squad.

tranmerepete
tranmerepete
27/05/2014 20:41
Looks like he might just work out.....

Every ball is a white ball............TRFC

Jack of all Trades
Jack of all Trades
27/05/2014 21:15
Having been assistant to Paul Tisdale for the last 4 years will have given him the basics to be confident to step up.

RE is well thought of at Exeter City but,his contract was not renewed as part of the spending cuts being implemented by the Exeter City Supporters Trust, who own the club.The only player of note who may have been part of the development of home ground talent was Jamie Mackie sold to QPR and now at Forest.

I remember RE playing at PP for both Preston and Blackpool and was a decent defender hopefully, he will coach our defenders, something his predecessors didn't do very well.

Finally, I would think all the applicants were told that John Mac and Timmins were part of the deal, due to the 12 months remaining on their contracts and the costs involved to pay them off and recruit replacements.

Very positive about the appointment.

GUAR
GUAR
27/05/2014 23:16
Well reading his interview he said him and john mc have the same ideas re player development. He also said he looks at it being a coaching team and not him being the boss and the others just agreeing. This statement ties in with john mc post relegation interview where he was obviously upset and said the club needs to change dramatically from top to bottom. Who is to say john mc hands weren't tied during his spell under Ronnie and the damage was done when he took over and the rot was set. I personally would give the whole management team a good crack of the whip before people try and divide the old and new coaching staff. Let's see how the new regime works first before making judgement.

Superwhite73
Superwhite73
27/05/2014 23:23
That's a great post. Here here. Agree with all said.

will_hunting
will_hunting
28/05/2014 07:45
i think a few of the existing players have personal issues with mcmahon, he`s old school and players are to precious these days, i hope it works out but i cant help thinking it if they could have got rid of mcmahon they would have, financially they couldnt

DevonExile
DevonExile
28/05/2014 07:47
it looks as if the board plan to operate on an Exeter model. Very low wages and and bringing people from youth level. It is incredibly demanding and Exeter only just avoided relegation to the conference.

It is a model that requires really good coaching and an excellent scouting set up. I have massive doubts that our current staff fit this requirement.

We will need a mix of experience in the team if there is to be a secure transition to this set up. Stockton deserved a place before Cassidy but he is not a replacement for Lowe.

The new manager faces some massive challenges and I just hope the board has given him a reasonable budget. An approach based on youth cannot happen overnight

MESSAGES->author
Matt34
28/05/2014 19:28
That echoes one or two minor concerns for me as well.

Developing more youth is good, as is bringing in more young players from 1st and 2nd tier clubs, as well, but apart from hopefully not abandoning the foreign markets, experience is still a key ingredient in any team and a 31 year old with 500 games experience and 12 football league first team history, who could have more than enough skills and plenty of fitness for the next 5 maybe 6 years, should not be discounted, because he his not 27 or less.

Liverpool only a few years ago tried to implement a policy of not signing players over 27 to keep the squad young and this represents naivety especially when you look at senior signings they have had in the last 15 years like Toure and McCallister and how well those appointments worked out and they are linked with Ashley Cole right now and he deservedly should be linked with them.

Other senior notable top level signings playing well when aged, include Richard Gough, Stuart Pearce, Deco, Eto'o and probably others and lower level football is no different.

Yes a player who has never played above league 1, will never have compared in fitness terms to a premier league high rolling earner, but this does not mean that relative to the pace and fitness of most professional lower league team players, such a player will become incapable of 90 minutes a gem long before top level players.

If for any reason Fon Williams and Jennings left, then signing a load of players aged 19-26 with less than 200 games experience, maybe 250 tops, would put pressure on someone like Koumas to deliver game changing moments and in matches when it's not going well and a few heads start to droop, another 2-3 wiser experienced heads in your dressing room, with that 350+ game experience would be good and if Edwards had a championship standard senior player fitting the Kevin Phillips type scenario willing to play for you for a token payment, owing to his good injury record but having 70 minute fitness, he'd be mad to simply ignore such talent based on age, even if the player was 38.

So increasing the emphasis on youth is good, but experience must be considered also, because as the saying goes, if you're good enough you're young enough, regardless of whether you're 18 or 38.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

cadburygorilla
cadburygorilla
29/05/2014 00:13
Fantastic appointment imo, well connected at Liverpool too with U21 Boss Alex Inglethorpe. Working and improving players and bringing through youth sounds great. (although surely this is going to be very tough with the new EPPP??)

Looking forward to seeing a fresh approach to the club.

Interesting to note the trouble Exeter are in financially being a trust run club....one of the reasons I think its a last resort for Tranmere.

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