Middlesbrough fans will be delighted if Rob Edwards signs ‘brilliant’ Luton Town star at Boro this summer

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Rob Edwards is set to be given the Middlesbrough job, and one of his former Luton Town stars would be the perfect signing to make.

After Middlesbrough fell away from the play-off places to finish tenth last term, Michael Carrick was sacked after over three years in charge.

Middlesbrough have been linked with a handful of head coaches, with Rob Edwards, Danny Rohl, Steve Cooper the frontrunners, and Marti Cifuentes discussed as a new name by Boro.

Bristol City’s search for a new manager left Edwards and Gerhard Struber as the two final candidates, but with the ex-Barnsley boss’ appointment by Bristol City, that left Edwards open for Boro.

Edwards remained favourite for the Boro job after his latest meeting with owner Steve Gibson, and now EFL Analysis has revealed that Edwards is set to replace Carrick as the new Boro boss.

With a deal agreed, Edwards’ first signing at the Riverside should see a reunion with one of his former Luton Town stars, that he loved working with.

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Rob Edwards must make Alfie Doughty his first Boro signing

Following Edwards’ appointment by Boro, he will be looking to improve on the poor run of form early in the season, which saw him depart the Hatters after three years in charge.

Edwards masterminded Luton’s promotion from the Championship to the Premier League despite a very limited budget, and one of his most pivotal squad members during that time was versatile full-back Alfie Doughty.

Since he arrived at Kenilworth Road from Cardiff City in 2022, Doughty has scored six goals and notched 20 assists in 105 appearances for Luton, with ten of those goal contributions coming in the Premier League.

Doughty’s versatility and technical prowess on the ball has cemented him as one of the best full-backs in the EFL, and one that the potential new Boro boss knows well after his three-year spell at Luton.

After Doughty signed extended terms with Luton last year, Edwards said via Luton Today: “It’s something that he’s deserved.

“There’s still a lot more to come from him as well, which is really exciting. It’s very good news for the club, it shows our ambition as well.

“We want to retain and keep our really high level performing players and he’s still at a brilliant age as well where he’s only going to get better.”

The Luton faithful have become accustomed to the spectacular long-range striking ability of Doughty that has been integral to their style of play since the Englishman arrived.

After proving himself in the Premier League only two seasons ago, Doughty will have little interest in playing in League One next season, and Edwards’ arrival at Boro could tempt Doughty to follow.

His acquisition would be a major benefit to Edwards for his first term in charge, but most importantly, solve a glaring weakness in the current Boro squad that was prevalent throughout 2024/25.

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Why Luton’s Alfie Doughty would be perfect signing at Boro for Rob Edwards

Amidst the ex-Hatters boss’ appointment at the Riverside, Boro fans will be praying Edwards doesn’t sign former Luton player Ryan Giles, after his disappointing loan spell last season.

Giles excelled during his first loan at Boro from Wolves in the 2022/23 season, and after he returned to Molineux, was sold to Luton but would feature only 14 times for the Hatters under Edwards.

The left-back returned on loan to Boro again this season from Hull City, but his form was substandard amid the club’s top-six failure under Carrick.

As a result, Boro fans would be far more attracted by the proposition of signing Doughty over Giles.

Since George Friend’s departure in 2020, left-back has been a glaring issue in the Boro squad, with Giles failing to fill that void this season and rediscover his best form.

Therefore, given that left-back has been a problem position for Boro across multiple seasons, and the connection between Edwards and Doughty from their Luton tenure, his arrival at the Riverside this summer would be an impressive piece of business to follow Edwards’ appointment.