A former Aston Villa, Wolves and Blackpool defender, Edwards started his teaching profession at AFC Telford and had a spell in control of England’s under-16 aspect earlier than guiding Forest Inexperienced Rovers to promotion from League Two in Could 2022.
That earned him a transfer to Watford, however his tenure at Vicarage Street lasted simply 11 matches earlier than his contract was terminated they usually turned to the extra skilled Slaven Bilic.
He solely needed to wait two months for a recent alternative when he was given the Luton job following Nathan Jones’ departure for Southampton.
Disappointment adopted success with final season’s relegation from the highest flight, however having been given a brand new four-year contract, he expressed confidence forward of the present marketing campaign that he had a squad able to difficult for promotion once more.
Their begin, nevertheless, was disrupted by accidents, however after solely taking one level from their first 4 video games, they managed back-to-back wins over Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.
A 5-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on 9 November was their heaviest since dropping back-to-back video games by the identical rating towards Manchester Metropolis and Brentford within the Premier League in April.
And Edwards – who gained 32 of his 103 video games in control of Luton – subsequently admitted he had skilled self doubt on account of their poor begin to the marketing campaign.
Requested about his place following the Middlesbrough recreation, he instructed BBC Three Counties Radio: “No matter will probably be, will probably be, I am not accountable for that stuff. I like this soccer membership, it has been one hell of a experience and we have achieved issues most likely non-one thought was doable.
“If that’s it, we will maintain our heads excessive, we have given all the things – if it isn’t, then we proceed to combat. The soccer membership all the time comes first. I am an enormous man and understand how the sport works. I’ve tried my finest.”
The board determined to face by Edwards and though The Hatters gained three of their subsequent seven video games, a 1-0 loss at Bristol Metropolis on Boxing Day started the run of defeats which introduced his tenure to an finish.
A membership assertion mentioned Edwards, Kyle and Trollope had given supporters the “biggest day of their lives” when Luton beat Coventry Metropolis on penalties to safe a return to the highest flight for the primary time since 1992.
“On that day on the nationwide stadium after which once more 4 months into the Premier League marketing campaign, at Bournemouth, Rob led with compassion and dignity within the wake of the 2 episodes which noticed his captain, Tom Lockyer, collapse on a pitch with coronary heart points,” the assertion continued.
“We may haven’t wished for a greater man to grasp what it takes to be supervisor of Luton City, one who acted as an envoy for the membership and group within the glare of the world’s media highlight.
“The present marketing campaign again within the Championship has clearly not progressed as anticipated, and after holding amicable talks following Monday’s defeat at QPR, the board and Rob have agreed to half with quick impact.”
