Cesar Peixoto Takes Charge as Wolves End Rob Edwards Era
Wolves are preparing to draw a sharp line under Rob Edwards’ brief and bruising tenure, with a full agreement in place for Gil Vicente head coach Cesar Peixoto to take charge at Molineux.
The Old Gold are yet to formally confirm Edwards’ dismissal, but the decision has been made. Peixoto, 46, has agreed terms after swift talks driven by influential agent Jorge Mendes, whose long-standing bond with Wolves’ owners Fosun remains central to the club’s direction.
This is not a gentle reset. It is a hard pivot.
Edwards out after relegation and rising doubts
Reservations over Edwards’ future began as far back as December, only months into his reign. His start at Molineux was rocky, and while performances and results picked up in patches, the damage proved too deep.
Wolves slipped out of the Premier League with barely a murmur, finishing on just 20 points with three wins all season. For a club that has tasted European nights and big-six scalps in recent years, the slide felt stark, and the manner of the relegation even more troubling.
Edwards arrived amid controversy, leaving Middlesbrough after a superb start on Teesside to answer the call of his hometown club. The narrative seemed romantic: the local boy returning to restore pride and build something lasting, even if the short term brought turbulence.
Relegation did not immediately kill that idea. Many inside and outside the club believed his appointment was made with the Championship in mind – a coach who could reshape the squad, reset the culture and push for an immediate return.
He certainly left fingerprints on the club’s recruitment. Edwards played a key role in shaping Wolves’ transfer strategy, helping to persuade Raul Jimenez to come back to Molineux and driving the move for experienced defender Kieran Trippier. Those are not the decisions of a man treated as a stop-gap.
But while Edwards worked on the long-term plan, the mood above him shifted.
New power, old ally
New executive chairman Nathan Shi has been increasingly keen to put his own stamp on the club. That desire for a fresh imprint at board level collided with the uncertainty around Edwards’ ability to lead a promotion charge at the first attempt.
As questions grew behind the scenes, one familiar name re-emerged at the centre of Wolves’ strategic thinking: Jorge Mendes.
Mendes has long been a power broker at Molineux, and sources indicate he actively pushed Peixoto as an alternative to Edwards. Talks accelerated quickly. Wolves’ hierarchy were given a detailed presentation of Peixoto’s methods, tactical ideas and vision for a squad that has to recover quickly from relegation shock.
Those conversations convinced them. An agreement followed.
Peixoto’s rise from obscurity
Peixoto is a recognisable name in Portuguese football, though not for his coaching – at least, not until recently.
As a player, he wore the colours of Benfica and Porto and represented Portugal at international level. On the pitch, he carried the profile of a man expected to stay in the elite for a long time.
On the touchline, the story took longer to find its shape. Before 2025, his managerial career was largely underwhelming: a series of short spells, few standout achievements, and little to suggest he would one day be leading a promotion-chasing club in England.
That perception changed at Gil Vicente.
Peixoto guided the club to a superb sixth-place finish, the standout achievement of his coaching life so far. It wasn’t just the league position that turned heads, but the way his team navigated difficult circumstances and punched above their weight in Portugal’s top flight.
Clubs across Europe noticed. Wolves moved.
A gamble with upside
Inside Molineux, Peixoto is viewed as an emerging coach with significant upside rather than a finished article. His work at Gil Vicente, under pressure and with limited resources, has impressed the Wolves hierarchy, who see in him a tactical clarity and resilience they believe can translate to the Championship grind.
This is a club under strain. Expectations are high after relegation, and the demand for an immediate Premier League return is not subtle. The margin for error is thin, both for Shi in the boardroom and for Peixoto in the dugout.
Edwards’ departure is due to be confirmed imminently. When it is, Wolves will hand the keys to a coach still building his reputation, but one they believe is ready for a bigger stage.
The question now is simple and unforgiving: can Cesar Peixoto turn Mendes’ recommendation and Wolves’ faith into promotion at the first attempt?
