Rob Edwards hopes Andre’s long-term contract is a sign of what is to come for Wolves this summer as preparations are already well underway for a swift return to the Premier League.
Wolves head to Burnley on Sunday afternoon where they will bring their eight-year spell in the top flight to a close, but the head coach is already looking ahead to next season and what the team can achieve in the Championship.
With six months of planning behind them, Edwards understands the summer’s transfer dealings are going to be vital if the club are to achieve their ultimate aim of bouncing back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
On Andre’s new contract
“It’s very positive news. We love him. He’s a really important player for us. It shows his mentality and how he sees things, which is brilliant. The great thing was I didn't have to work really hard [to convince] him. He’s someone who’s really committed already.
“He loves a football club and he wants to help, and I think that speaks volumes. But we love working with him, and I know he really enjoys working with us, so we’re delighted and hopefully the supporters are really excited as well, and can see our intent.
“It’s going to be a big summer and this is the first bit of work. There’s going to be a lot going on, but it certainly shows what we’re trying to do, and it’s very, very exciting. But this is just the beginning of it – I hope.”
He told you he was staying 😍 pic.twitter.com/XVP2plxUYd
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 22, 2026
On the Brazilian’s commitment to Wolves
“I went to him because we’ve been speaking to the lads that we feel that we really want to have around next season, to build the squad around, build the team around, and he’s obviously one of those guys. We’ve really enjoyed working with each other and we’ve got a very good connection.
“He’s quite a quiet guy, but he’s a really funny guy, and he is so committed. He’s really enjoyed this year, but obviously he won’t be happy with how it’s gone either. We’ve seen really good stuff from him, but there’s more to come.
“I know with a good pre-season we can get more from him next year, which I think is really exciting. He knows that too, and he’s someone who wants to be here, who wants to fight and wants to help turn things around. That’s been my consistent message as well. We need to have people around that are going to be up for the fight and want it, and he does.”
On Andre’s contract being a sign of intent
“It will help. It’s not just been done for that reason, but we have to try and work hard on getting commitment from the players that we want here and those that we already have in the building, whilst working hard on bringing new recruits in as well, so it’s certainly not going to do any harm.
“It’s probably been difficult for people to get it or to hear it at times when after the relegation, and there’ll be some negativity around, but I’m really energised and looking forward to being part of this change that needs to happen.
“Behind the scenes, we’re working really hard to try and deliver, and to try and make that change, and to make sure that when we come back in pre-season, we’re able to really get to work with a refreshed group. Players will still be here that we want to work with, and there’ll certainly be some new faces in the door.”
On being excited for the future
“I’ve been positive anyway. Maybe you haven’t believed me when I’ve been saying things, but maybe people will believe me a bit more now. There is a real feeling around the football club – from Nathan, from the leaders, from Matt [Jackson] and myself – that we know we need to get this summer right, and we’re really passionate about delivering.
“Hopefully this little bit of news is just one thing, and there’s hopefully going to be more to come, but this maybe gets people believing in us a little bit more.”
On next season’s planning
“We’re working hard on lots of things, people here and people that are outside of the building, to try and get the squad to where we want it to be and where we need it to be.
“We know we need it to be better than what we’ve been this year, even though we’re going to be in a different league and competing in a different league, we want to be stronger, we want to be better, we want to look different.
“I feel like I’m at the point now where I can really start talking about that because it’s been really hard for us this year. It’s not been a team that I want this to look like, but now I think we’re in a position where we can really start making some change.”
"He's someone that wants to be here and wants to fight and help turn things around."
— Wolves (@Wolves) May 22, 2026
Rob Edwards on Andre's new deal 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/vCAKhVhpLm
On the need for leaders
“It’s something that we’ve spoken about a lot – experience and leadership, and it’s certainly been something that we’ve missed this season. That doesn’t mean players have to be 30-odd, they can be 23 with fantastic experience and knowledge of English football, and they can be leaders as younger players.
“I think Mane is a leader in a different way, so it doesn’t mean we’re just looking for a certain type or age, that’s just a number, but the right person is what we’re looking for. It’s been clear what we’ve lacked this season, and we’re going to make sure that we try and fill that void that we’ve missed.”
On his preferred system
“I want us to be a [back] four, I want us to get whether it’s another midfield, whether it’s another forward on the pitch, I want us to be able to be more aggressive, and all of the things I’ve spoken about a lot, that’s where I see us going to.
“The club, for many, many years now, has been a three or a five, and obviously had huge success under Nuno in that system, then a lot of the managers have tried to get away from it, but the recruitment has maybe brought it back to that.
“But I think we’re in a position now where we can go, ‘Right, we want to become this’, and we’re in a position where we can make a lot of change and an opportunity to shape things the way we want to do it.”
