Middlesbrough have refused a request from Wolves to speak to their head coach Rob Edwards, after the Premier League club made initial contact about their interest.
Wolves, who sacked Vitor Pereira on Sunday following a 10-game winless start to the season, have been searching for a replacement. BBC Sport reported the West Midlands club had approached Championship side Boro to ask permission to hold talks with Edwards.
Middlesbrough turned the approach down. The club, currently third in the Championship, are determined to keep the 42-year-old and would expect a substantial compensation fee if Wolves were to pursue him — Edwards only took charge at the Riverside Stadium in June on a three-year contract after Michael Carrick's dismissal.
Wolves had also held discussions with former manager Gary O'Neil, but the 42-year-old withdrew from consideration on Monday. That left Edwards, a former Wolves player, as one of the leading contenders for the vacancy.
Wolves sit bottom of the Premier League with two points from 10 games, eight points adrift of 17th-placed Burnley, and face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Edwards has strong ties to Wolves, having made more than 100 appearan
