Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson got one key decision absolutely right this summer that no fan predicted

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Middlesbrough top the Championship table after the opening four fixtures, with a run of form that not even some of the most die-hard Boro fans would have anticipated.

Middlesbrough have soared to the summit of the Championship table following the opening four clashes of the 2025/26 season.

In Rob Edwards’ first term at the helm, Boro have beaten Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United most recently to cement themselves as the only second tier outfit to take maximum points ahead of the international break.

Boro owner Steve Gibson’s appointment of Edwards was heavily debated throughout the pre-season summer, but his dubious decision has now been vindicated.

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Middlesbrough got the decision to appoint Rob Edwards correct

After the former Luton Town boss emerged as the leading candidate to become Michael Carrick’s successor, Middlesbrough fans did not want Edwards to be appointed and would have favoured a move for former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.

Within his first few weeks in charge, Middlesbrough fans were not impressed with Edwards after Boro’s embarrassing 3-0 pre-season defeat to League One outfit Mansfield Town back in July.

However, after several impressive signings by Boro, keeping hold of in-demand Hayden Hackney and the flawless start to the second tier season, the mood has totally changed for the better on Teesside.

There were fears over Edwards’ style of play for Boro and whether the squad he inherited would be able to adapt to his trademark back-three system, but he and his squad have silenced those doubters by scoring seven and conceding only one goal so far this season.

Four wins from four against quality opposition, with the most recent three being fellow promotion rivals, is an impressive feat for Edwards’ first month in competitive charge.

Although credit is owed to Edwards for shaping the Boro squad in his image, that positive trajectory is poised to continue following Boro’s outstanding exploits in the summer transfer window.

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Middlesbrough have made crucial signings for Rob Edwards’ title push

As alluded to regarding the change of system and footballing philosophy from Carrick, Gibson, and Head of Football, Kieran Scott had a mammoth task on their hands this summer.

One of the primary positions to fill was at wing-back, and Boro have recruited brilliantly on both flanks with Middlesbrough signing Callum Brittain from Blackburn Rovers on the right and signing Matt Targett on loan from Newcastle United for the opposite side.

In midfield, one of Boro’s most important moves of the window was retaining their homegrown prized asset after Wolves eyed a late move for Hackney.

Upfront, Middlesbrough removed the goalscoring burden from Tommy Conway’s shoulders with the £6.5m signing of Slovakian striker David Strelec.

Middlesbrough fans could not have asked for a better start to the season, and equally, Edwards would not have envisaged such an impressive start to the season.

Boro’s appointment of Edwards has been vindicated thus far, but crucially, there are still over 40 games left to play in the 2025/26 Championship season.

Therefore, the onus is on Edwards and his Boro squad to harness the positive momentum built in the early stages of the season and continue their second tier title charge following the international break.