Raphael Wicky ‘Close’ to Middlesbrough Role After Near-Miss with West Brom
Middlesbrough’s search for a new manager has taken an intriguing turn, with Swiss coach Raphael Wicky emerging as a strong candidate to replace Rob Edwards—just months after almost joining rivals West Bromwich Albion.
The 48-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving BSC Young Boys in March 2024, reportedly attended an interview at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground on Saturday, according to The Telegraph’s John Percy. Percy described Wicky as a “serious contender” for the vacant position, as pressure mounts on Boro owner Steve Gibson to secure a successor following Edwards’ shock departure to Wolverhampton Wanderers after only 15 games of the 2025/26 Championship season.
Edwards’ exit was unexpected for Teesside, where the former Luton Town manager had guided Middlesbrough to a strong start, sitting third in the table. Wolves, recently relegated from the Premier League, lured him with the promise of top-flight football next season, leaving Boro scrambling to maintain their promotion push.
Wicky’s ties to English football are well known, and his near-move to West Brom earlier this year adds extra intrigue. In the summer of 2025, the Baggies—then managed by Carlos Corberan—targeted Wicky as their preferred successor. Reports suggested he was “very close” to finalizing the deal, but disagreements over his backroom staff scuppered the move, paving the way for Ryan Mason’s appointment from Tottenham.
West Brom have struggled under Mason, who won his first four league games unbeaten but has since earned just four points from five Championship matches, including a 2-1 home loss to Middlesbrough last month. Baggies fans, still nostalgic for Corberan and speculating about Valencia links, may now regret missing out on Wicky.
For Middlesbrough, Wicky offers tactical acumen and a track record of success. The Leuggern-born former midfielder, capped 75 times for Switzerland, enjoyed spells at Werder Bremen, Atletico Madrid, and Hamburg before transitioning to management. He worked in youth systems at FC Thun, Servette, and Basel, then with the USA U-17 team, leading them to a World Cup win in 2017.
At club level, his highlight was guiding Young Boys to a domestic double in the 2022/23 Swiss Super League season, combining high-pressing football with European qualification. His two-year stint at MLS side Chicago Fire was less successful but enhanced his adaptability. Wicky has consistently prioritized having control over his staff, previously turning down West Brom in January 2024, and was also linked with Sunderland and Rangers in recent years.
Middlesbrough’s shortlist remains fluid, with names like Steven Gerrard, Gary O’Neil, and club legend Tony Mowbray under consideration, but Wicky’s interview has boosted his prospects. Insiders say he sees Middlesbrough as an ideal platform to implement his attacking style after 18 months out of work.
As the Championship season progresses, Gibson faces a key decision: appoint a proven winner like Wicky or pursue a bigger name. For West Brom, Wicky’s potential arrival at Boro is a reminder of what could have been, turning past disappointment at The Hawthorns into possible success on the Riverside.