Rob Edwards made more than 100 appearances for Wolves as a player
Wolveshave sacked Rob Edwards after just seven months - with the head coach first discovering he could be departing on social media.
The club had previously insisted they were behind the 43-year-old after they were relegated from the Premier League.
Edwards. his staff were first aware a change could happen after seeing reports of Cesar Peixoto potentially taking over on social media.
The club was then asked about the rumours late on Wednesday night by Edwards' camp. confirmed his sacking with the manager on Thursday morning.
It has come as a shock. with Peixoto, who guided Gil Vicente to sixth place in Portugal's Primeira Liga during the season just completed, expected to be appointed at Molineux.
Edwards' assistants Harry Watling and Paul Trollope are also leaving.
Announcing Edwards' departure,Wolves said:,external"Following a comprehensive review at the conclusion of the season. the club has determined that a change in leadership is necessary asWolvesenters the next stage of its development."
The club added they recognised the "significant challenges faced by Edwards. his staff during their tenure" and paid tribute to their "commitment and professionalism throughout".
However. the decision was taken having "ultimately concluded that a different sporting direction would provide the strongest platform for future success".
Wolveshad already started planning for the Championship by signing Kieran Trippier on a free fromNewcastle. with Edwards key to the deal, whileRaul Jimenez returned, with hisFulhamcontract expiring at the end of the month.
Technical director Matt Jackson said last month. the club's hierarchy was aligned in supporting Edwards as they looked to rebuild the squad.
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'It's been tough' - Watch Edwards' last interview as Wolves head coach
"The plan. the goal is to get promoted straight away but we understand a lot of change has to take place," Jackson said.
"If there isn't alignment here. we're dead in the water before we start, so that discussion has been going on for months already."
Edwards left a Championship promotion race with Middlesbrough, replacing Vitor Pereira,. won just five of his 30 games in all competitions, losing 16.
Wolvesfinished bottom of the Premier League -. the former Forest Green, Watford and Luton boss called for change at the club recently.
"We're a collective. I'll take responsibility of course but it's not an effort thing, it's the fact that we're the worst team in the league. That's the bottom line," said Edwards at a Q&A hosted by BBC Radio WM last month.
"I'll be careful what I say because I've got to work with the boys as well for the next couple of weeks. we're not good enough.
"That's the situation we came into. I knew coming here in November. I might be sitting here in front of a lot of very angry people because this place is in a mess. I wanted to come here, I wanted to try and help."
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Edwards was onto a no-win situation - Bull
Staff at Molineux have been stunned by the decision which also blindsided Rob Edwards and his coaching team.
Technical director Matt Jackson was given the job of dismissing Edwards just weeks after saying they were united.
His "if there isn't alignment here. we're dead in the water before we start" comment at the fans' Q&A last month could come back to haunt the club.
Edwards calledWolvesa mess. had been working to change the culture of the club and squad but that blueprint will now be ripped up.
There was no flashpoint but it is a ruthless decision taken by the club, one which was made above Jackson, with executive chairman Nathan Shi. owners Fosun unconvinced by Edwards.
Yet midfielder Andre signed a new deal while Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez have joined on free transfers. A large part of the three committing their future toWolveswas because of Edwards.
He left Middlesbrough to joinWolvesin November when they were second in the Championship and five points behind leaders Coventry.
He was planning another promotion assault. this time had a better squad and would have been backed financially, so why sack him now?
Wolveshad been planning for the Championship since January, a strategy was in place and there appeared to be clear thinking.
Edwards did only win three Premier League games. there were doubts from the fans but it did at least feel the club was finally on the same page.
It costWolvesclose to £4m to bring him. Watling to Molineux from Boro and it will not be cheap to pay them off.
Reported replacement Cesar Peixoto, currently manager of Gil Vicente in Portugal, will also cost money.
He is a client of Jorge Mendes' Gestifute agency - who have a close relationship withWolvesowners Fosun.
Peixoto has never managed outside of the country and would come into one of the toughest leagues in Europe.
That does not mean he cannot be a success but it is a gambleWolvesdesperately need to pay off.
Additional reporting by Dan Wheeler, BBC Sport, West Midlands
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