Middlesbrough fans will be praying Rob Edwards doesn’t sign one former Luton player for Boro this summer

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Middlesbrough need a replacement for Michael Carrick, and former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has emerged as an option.

Middlesbrough sacked Michael Carrick after he took them to a 10th-place finish in the Championship this past season.

Since then, a host of names have been linked to replace the former Manchester United midfielder.

Ex-QPR manager Marti Cifuentes has been discussed by Middlesbrough as an option.

Steve Cooper is on Boro’s shortlist as well after being out of work since his Leicester City exit in November.

Meanwhile, former Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Carrick.

Rob Edwards must avoid signing former Luton Town player for Middlesbrough

It’s not uncommon for managers to look at players they have worked with previously when moving to a new club.

Edwards joined Luton in 2022 and helped them climb up to the Premier League despite a very limited budget.

Granted, he really struggled in 2024/25 and was sacked before the club suffered relegation to League One.

But he’s proven to be a good manager and has worked with some top stars in the last three years.

However, one of those players was Ryan Giles, who Boro fans are no doubt praying does not return to Teesside this summer.

Ryan Giles Middlesbrough struggles

Giles initially excelled in the North East when he joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022/23.

After returning to Wolves, he was then sold to Luton at the start of 2023/24.

However, he only played 14 matches for the Hatters when Edwards was in charge before being loaned and then sold to Hull.

Giles’ form has dipped massively since his initial loan at Middlesbrough, and he really struggled during his temporary return in the second half of 2024/25.

So, while the Edwards connection and previous stints on Teesside make it an easy transfer link to make, it’s something that should be avoided at all costs this summer.

Middlesbrough do need more competition at left-back, but it should not be Giles.