Edwards' Telford time helped his Premier League journey
- Published
Rob Edwards' first job in the sixth tier of English football shaped him.
The 42-year-old's route to the Premier League started when he was appointed Telford manager in 2017, after leaving Wolves following Nuno Espirito Santo's arrival.
It was his first senior role and he adjusted from being with a full-time Championship club to a National League North side
Telford eventually finished 14th in 2017-18, with Edwards leaving in May 2018, but the experience proved invaluable.
"He found it difficult at times. He was with a part-time football club, so he'd been in a professional game for his whole career and working with players day to day," former chairman Andy Pryce, who appointed Edwards, told BBC Sport.
"He soon adapted. He made the club have a more solid base.
"You'll never find a nicer man; you won't meet a better person than Rob.
"He's an honest guy. When you employ a manager, all you want is honesty - whether it's good, bad or indifferent.
"You just want everyone to be honest and put all the cards on the table. That's the type of person Rob is. He's not shy at coming forward."