Rob Edwards Tactics At Middlesbrough 2025/2026: Bold Plans, Measured Moves – Tactical Analysis

The 2024/2025 EFL Championship season was a disappointing one for both Rob Edwards and Middlesbrough.

Edwards began the season managing Luton Town, off the back of Premier League relegation in 2023/2024.

His side entered the year as top-six favourites, but by January, he had been sacked with his team firmly in the relegation zone.

Conversely, Middlesbrough FC sacked their head coach, Michael Carrick, after a disappointing tenth-place finish in the Championship.

The owners heavy investments in the summer window meant high expectations were in place.

Despite exciting football at times, these expectations were not met, and the Englishmens underwhelming league position meant their time was up. 

Now, the two parties have come together in the hopes of a more promising future.

Edwards will be looking to replicate his exceptional 2022/2023 season with Luton, which led to promotion via the Championship Play-Offs.

Middlesbrough will be looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 2017, when Aitor Karanka led the club.

This tactical analysis will analyse how the Boro may look moving forward under Rob Edwards coaching style.

As we approach the new season, we will consider the potential Rob Edwards tactics, the formations chosen by Middlesbrough, and which personnel are likely to be favoured.

Rob Edwards Tactics At Luton Town

Rob Edwards has favoured a 5-2-1-2 or a 5-3-2 setup throughout his managerial career.

He has adopted this system, or a very similar one, when at Forest Green Rovers, Watford, and Luton.

Rob Edwards Wing-Backs

A huge part of Edwards approach and arguably his unique identity as a manager is his use of wing-backs.

In his system, the wing-backs defend as part of a five, but push high and wide in attack to become almost wingers in attacking phases.

The image below shows his Forest Green sides areas of dominance (blue zones).

As can be seen, his wing-back zones are heavily involved.

At Kenilworth Road, this approach worked exceptionally well, particularly in the EFL Championship. 

Even more so, his lo