Gibson factor helped draw Edwards to Boro job

Rob Edwards has a new backroom team to work with at Middlesbrough

New Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards says the chance to work for chairman Steve Gibson was a big attraction in him taking the job.

Edwards is back in work five months after leaving Luton Town and his remit is to improve Boro's fortunes.

Predecessor Michael Carrick was the longest-serving boss in the second tier prior to his departure earlier this month after nearly three years in charge.

"From the outside from me looking in, I had huge respect and admiration for the training ground, the facilities, the stadium," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"Steve as well, as an owner, is a huge factor in it. Historically, he has given people time and support and I think that's very important."

Boro are about to enter their ninth successive season in the Championship and they are keen to end that sequence.

Edwards is their eighth full-time boss in that period.

"There are a lot of factors that have made me very excited about it," said the 42-year-old former Wales international.

"Once there was a change made a few weeks ago, it was something that I thought would be really interesting for me."

Adi Viveash (right) enjoyed two promotions as number two to Mark Robins at Coventry

'Geniuses on the grass'

Edwards moves to the Riverside with a different backroom staff to the one he had at Luton.

He worked alongside Paul Trollope and Richie Kyle at Kenilworth Road, but Kyle is now at Bolton Wanderers and Trollope has been linked with joining up with Will Still at Southampton.

Edwards' new-look team includes Adrian Viveash, who was number two to Mark Robins for seven years at Coventry City, and the younger Harry Watling, who had a spell in charge of Ebbsfleet United in the National League last season.

"They've got great personalities and coaching experience at this level and different levels," said the new Boro head coach.

"They're really knowledgeable. I think they're geniuses on the grass, so I'm really looking forward to working with people of that quality.

"I've worked with brilliant people before but it's given me the opportunity to look at what I need around me going into this one. They complement each other and me really well."