Rob Edwards (footballer, born 1982)
|
Edwards in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Owen Edwards | ||
| Date of birth | 25 December 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Telford, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –1999 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2004 | Aston Villa | 8 | (0) |
| 2003 | → Crystal Palace (loan) | 7 | (1) |
| 2004 | → Derby County (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| 2004–2008 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 100 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | Blackpool | 59 | (2) |
| 2011 | → Norwich City (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2011–2013 | Barnsley | 17 | (0) |
| 2012 | → Fleetwood Town (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2013 | → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| Total | 213 | (5) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003–2006 | Wales | 15 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2016 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (interim) | ||
| 2017–2018 | AFC Telford United | ||
| 2020–2021 | England U16 | ||
| 2021–2022 | Forest Green Rovers | ||
| 2022 | Watford | ||
| 2022–2025 | Luton Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert Owen Edwards (born 25 December 1982) is a professional football manager and former footballer who played as a centre-back. Born in England to Welsh parents, he represented Wales internationally.
Edwards began his career with Aston Villa, making his senior debut in the Premier League. He then moved to Midlands neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2004, where he spent four seasons at Championship level. He helped both Blackpool and Norwich to promotions to the Premier League and featured for Barnsley in the Championship before retiring due to injury in 2013. He played international football for Wales, making his debut in 2004 and winning 15 caps in total. His father also played for Wales, at U18 level. He completed his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales and moved into management after retiring as a player.
Edwards managed Wolves' academy and had an interim spell at the first team, before leading AFC Telford United and the England under-16 team. He guided Forest Green Rovers to promotion as League Two champions in the 2021–22 season. Watford appointed Edwards as manager in May 2022 but he was sacked just four months later in September. He joined Luton Town later that year, leading the club to promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs.