Rob Edwards set to be named Championship boss after making final shortlist for two jobs
Middlesbrough will name Rob Edwards as their new manager on Thursday, talkSPORT understands.
Harry Watling will join as his assistant coach.
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Watling served as Michael Beale's assistant during the latter's time in charge of Scottish giants Rangers.
Former Luton Town boss Edwards made the final shortlist for both the Middlesbrough and Bristol City jobs.
Boro recently sacked Michael Carrick as head coach after three years in charge, while the Robins are looking for a new boss to replace Liam Manning, who left to take charge of Championship rivals Norwich.
Edwards has been out of work since leaving his role as Luton manager in January, where he had spent three years at the helm.
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The 42-year-old guided the Hatters to promotion to the Premier League in 2023, where he earned plaudits for his side's battling style of play in the top-flight, despite ultimately suffering relegation.
His tenure at Kenilworth Road ended in difficult circumstances, with Luton sitting 20th in the Championship at the time of his departure.
They went on to get relegated to League One this term.
With former Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber set to be named Bristol City's manager, while Edwards is heading to the north east.
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Middlesbrough agreed a compensation deal with Luton for Edwards as he was effectively still under contract.
Michael Carrick was dismissed by Middlesbrough after failing to deliver a top-six finish.
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They finished a disappointing 10th last term despite being in contention to make the play-offs, losing three of their final five fixtures.
This was the second consecutive season Boro had missed out on a shot at the Premier League, having come eighth in the 2023/24 campaign.
In Carrick's first season in charge at the Riverside, he guided the club to fourth in the Championship, who were then beaten by Coventry in the play-off semi-final in 2023.
It is no surprise that Boro were keen on securing Edwards' services, given his proven track record at getting out of the Championship.
The former Watford boss took over Luton in November 2022, where he guided them to unlikely promotion to the Premier League with victory over Coventry in the play-off final at Wembley.
This was the first time the Hatters had played in the top-flight since 1992.
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It also rounded off a remarkable rise which saw them become the first team to go from the top-tier to non-league, and then back again.
Edwards was unable to avoid immediate relegation to the Championship, while his side continued to struggle back in the second tier last term.
The Hatters' fortunes didn't improve after his exit however, as they ultimately suffered back-to-back relegations to League One under his successor Matt Bloomfield.
With a fresh start for Edwards now looking a real possibility, he will hope to end another club's long wait to return to the top flight.
Middlesbrough last played in the Premier League in 2017.