Middlesbrough player opens up on ‘tough’ start to life under Rob Edwards, shares 24/25 struggles

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Middlesbrough are currently undergoing their first pre-season under new manager, Rob Edwards.

Rob Edwards was appointed Middlesbrough boss last month after Michael Carrick departed on the back of a 10th-place finish in the Championship.

Edwards has outlined his goals for Boro already, with the club once again looking to secure a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League.

Now, a current player has shared an insight into what life so far has been like with the former Luton Town boss.

Sammy Silvera on working with new Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards

Middlesbrough have taken a 27-man squad to Portugal for their training camp before a return to England for their first official pre-season game against Mansfield Town on July 19.

• Mansfield Town – July 19
• Bradford City – July 23
• Rangers – July 26
• Hartlepool United – July 30
• Deportivo La Coruna – August 2

Among the players included in the current training camp is winger Sammy Silvera.

Silvera has returned to the club after spells with Portsmouth and Blackpool, and has discussed how he’s finding working under Edwards in an interview with Boro’s media this week.

He said: “It’s been tough but it’s been good. It brings all the lads together. We keep pushing ourselves together. That’s the best thing, that’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to learn, keep improving ourselves to reach our goals, and the most important thing is we do it together.”

Sammy Silvera on loan spells

Silvera joined Portsmouth on loan in the first half of 2024/25 before returning to Teesside in January.

He played 12 games, scored zero and assisted zero before another short-term spell with Blackpool in the second half of the campaign.

Silvera made 15 League One appearances for Steve Bruce’s side, scoring one and assisting one.

On his loan stints, he said: “I had some unfortunate time out on loan, just not getting the game time required.

“Some things were out of my control, some things weren’t, but I think just being back here, being in a quality environment with quality players, that’s important to me to keep growing as a player. And the level of training from the coaches has been fantastic. I’m really enjoying it.

He added: “I think everyone does [ have a point to prove]. Everyone is raising the bar and it’s always good to have a different set of eyes, ideas on training.

“The way we want to play, we’re slowly learning and improving as a team. It’s exciting and that’s the main thing.”