Rob Edwards: New Tranmere boss a fan of Liverpool & Everton style

Rob Edwards

New Tranmere boss Rob Edwards hopes to introduce an open style of football, similar to that employed by Merseyside neighbours Everton and Liverpool.

The 41-year-old will take charge of Rovers in League Two next season after their relegation earlier this month.

"You need to play a certain way to get results in this division but I like football a lot," said Edwards, who has taken his first managerial role.

"I love the way the two teams in Liverpool are playing at the moment."

Liverpool finished second in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers, narrowly missing out on a first league title since 1990, while Roberto Martinez led Everton to fifth in the table and to a club-record Premier League points tally in his first year at Goodison Park.

Edwards, who has succeeded Ronnie Moore as Tranmere boss, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "The open style of football and the freedom the players have to make their decisions on the pitch - you'd imagine their managers don't tell them where to pass the ball.

"They just go and play, and they're backing their talent.

"We're playing a few levels down from that, but the game for me is about the talent of the players.

"It will always come down to the talent, as long as you're fit enough, you're motivated and the manager's given you the right structure in your team."

Edwards made more than 750 appearances for five clubs as a player, finishing his career at Exeter, where he went on to take a coaching role and later served as number two to Paul Tisdale.

"I've wanted to manage for a couple of years," added the former Wales international. "This is my big chance and I'm not going to let it pass me by. It's a great chance for me."

John McMahon will stay at Prenton Park as assistant to Edwards.

McMahon took control of the first team in the closing weeks of last season while Moore was investigated by the Football Association over a breach of betting rules, an offence that resulted in Moore's dismissal in April.