As well as confirming Edwards’ appointment as the club’s new head coach earlier this week, the Boro hierarchy also announced the arrival of two new first-team coaches to w work alongside the new boss.
Adi Viveash arrives after spending seven years as assistant manager at Coventry City, where working under Mark Robins, he helped lead the Sky Blues to two promotions in the space of three seasons, a Championship play-off final and an appearance in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Harry Watling has spent time working in the youth set-ups at both Chelsea and West Ham, and has also managed in the United States with Hartford Athletic, who played in the tier just below the MLS.
The pair appeared alongside Edwards as he spoke to the press for the first time at Rockliffe Hall this week, and will play influential roles as Boro’s players step up their pre-season preparations next week, having returned to the training ground for testing on Thursday.
“I think they’ve got great personality and brilliant coaching experience, at this level and at different levels as well,” said Edwards, whose first competitive match in charge of Boro will be the Championship opener at home to Swansea City on August 9. “They’re really, really knowledgeable – I think they’re geniuses on the grass, I really do.
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“I’m just really looking forward to working with people of that quality. I worked with brilliant people before – the relationship I’ve got with Richie (Kyle) and Trolls (Paul Trollope), who I worked with at Luton, will always be there and we’ll always have those memories.
“They’ve moved into different roles now, and that’s given me the opportunity to think about what I need going into this job. I think they complement each other and me really, really well.”
Edwards worked with Kyle and Trollope throughout his Luton Town reign, but the former is currently working as the assistant head coach at Bolton Wanderers and the latter is employed as the assistant boss of Southampton.
Edwards could have pushed for them to join him on Teesside, but the Boro hierarchy were keen to assemble a new-look coaching team with a blend of experience and fresh ideas.
Viveash is a tried-and-tested number two at Championship level, and the 55-year-old will be expected to challenge Edwards and drive high standards within the playing squad. Watling is in the mould of Aaron Danks, who left Boro last summer to join Vincent Kompany’s backroom team at Bayern Munich – a young, innovative coach with extensive experience of helping to develop talented young players.
They effectively replace Jonathan Woodgate and Graham Carrick, who left when Michael Carrick was dismissed earlier this month. Alan Fettis remains in place as goalkeeping coach, while discussions are taking place over what role Grant Leadbitter will play within the new set-up.
“Adi and I have known each other for a while, and almost distantly been in contact for a few years,” said Edwards. “I think there’s been a nice mutual respect, and whenever our paths have crossed, there have been some nice conversations and we’ve kept in touch with the odd message.
“That’s been good, and over these last few months, there’s been more conversations had that have led to a few meetings and things like that. That’s how that one has come about.
“Harry and I got introduced to each other back in February time. We’ve built up a really good relationship, and I’m just really excited about working with them both.
“I just said to them on Monday night, thanks for coming and believing in me. They’re going to bring a lot. They’ve got a lot of talent and a lot of expertise, and they’re also really good people, which is important to me as well.”
