Viveash has also told of how he’s always admired Boro and Steve Gibson from afar, and has been hugely encouraged by what he’s seen in his first fortnight at the Championship club.
Viveash and Edwards’ paths had obviously crossed in the game but they’d never had the opportunity for a detailed chat until they met for what turned into a four-hour meeting earlier this year.
At that stage, Edwards’ next move was unclear, with the 42-year-old planning ahead as he looked to return to work.
And Viveash was delighted that opportunity came at Middlesbrough – which he learnt about while sunbathing in Cyprus last month!
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“It’s been a really interesting couple of weeks,” Boro’s new assistant boss told the club during the first day of the pre-season training camp in Portugal.
“It’s been great to get back in and meeting everybody. Everyone has been very welcoming in the club and around the town. They’re really passionate about their club and it’s been great to see the players first hand.
“I’ve coached against quite a lot of them over the years and it’s been great to get in amongst it and meet everybody.”
Viveash was out of work prior to his Boro arrival having left Coventry – where he’d been Mark Robins’ long-term deputy – last summer.
But he was keen to get back into work and liked the idea of assisting Edwards, who he’d come up against in the 2023 play-off final when Boro’s now boss was in charge of Luton.
“As Rob has spoken about, we had some meetings and a four-hour coffee that turned into lunch,” said the 55-year-old, explaining how his Boro move came about.
“We talked about all sorts, our journey into coaching, the play-off final, we talked about that quite a bit and the tactical element that went into the game
“We’ve known each other for a few years, we had that respect for each other and it just went from there. We had a couple more meetings and then there was a bit of wind that something could happen.
“There was interest in Rob at that time and it became very apparent he was talking to Middlesbrough.
“I was away in Cyprus, there were messages and calls going on and when I came back I met him and Kieran [Scott] and it went from there.”
Viveash arrived at Boro with one goal in mind.
He said: “It’s always a club I’ve admired. I’ve always admired the owner.
“He’s one of those people who you look at and think it would be great to meet him. I’ve met him and he’s exactly how I thought he’d be. Obviously he has a ruthless streak like everybody does who is that successful but he’s really honest and loves his club.
“It’s a massive club and the challenge is being part of the staff and players to get Middlesbrough back to the Premier League. That’s the ultimate goal.
“I can see the potential, the quality of the playing squad. With Rob, he’s a really, really good human being, as good as I’ve ever met.
“He’ll give everything to the players and staff to make them feel comfortable.
“It’s going to be really interesting to work with him. It’s only early doors but you can already see those people qualities he has and I think he’s going to get everyone engaged in the project. That’s the biggest thing.”
Viveash’s first impressions of the squad have also been positive.
He said: “There’s obviously some really talented technical players.
“There’s some real characters. It’s quite a diverse mix. Quite a young group overall. A lot of energy.
“I’ve been really pleased with what I’ve seen but obviously it’s early doors. Pre-season is all about building through the weeks.
“We have a great week now in Portugal, we hope to be further along than we were last Friday.
“If we are, that’s good, then we build towards all the friendlies coming. Before you know it we’ll be at Swansea and that’s what it’s all about.”
