Why Edwards decided Boro was club for him

RIVERSIDE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL GAVE NEW MANAGER 'CHILLS'

- By CRAIG JOHNS

FOR Rob Edwards, picking the right club for his next job, and going back in at the right time, felt important.

Edwards spent a little over two years at Luton Town and went on a roller-coaster ride with the Hatters. An unexpected promotion to the Premier League was followed by a season of valiance in the top flight, as Edwards’ site put up more of a fight than anyone might have expected. They earned more points than any of the other most recent six teams to be promoted.

But unable to avoid the drop, the new Boro head coach could not arrest the slide at Kenilworth Road. He was sacked in January. Luton were 20th in the Championship at the point the trigger was pulled, before going on to finish 22nd and therefore suffering a second successive relegation in Edwards’ absence.

For Edwards, the break before his return at Boro was both important and purposeful. In his first sit-down interview with the media after his appointment, he explained: “It took time [to feel ready and recharged]. I needed some time. I got some good time with the family and that was really nice. We had a couple of holidays and re-energised. That was good.