MIDDLESBROUGH have begun the search for a new manager – but are in no rush to replace Rob Edwards.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, ex-Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and Valencia’s Carlos Coberan are the early names being considered.
Though chairman Steve Gibson and Boro chiefs are determined to take their time to ensure they get the right man to lead the promotion charge.
Teessider Gibson held talks with head of football Kieran Scott and other senior figures at Boro over the weekend to start the plan of action.
And instead of rushing to find an immediate replacement, SunSport understands it will more likely be early next week before an appointment is made.
The high-flying Championship club are still seething after reluctantly giving Wolves permission to speak with their boss, who only took charge at the Riverside in July.
GUNS FRONT
Prem table revealed by supercomputer after Arsenal draw and City smash Liverpool
Edwards has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal to return to Molineux, where he spent four years as a player and later coached their U23s, with the Premier League’s bottom club set to pay £3million in compensation.
The vastly-experienced Adi Viviash, assistant under Edwards, took charge of Boro on Saturday and led them to an emotional 2-1 victory over Birmingham City.
Sources have indicated that he was also part of Gibson’s meeting and he is due to continue leading the team in training for the foreseeable until a new head coach is brought in.
Meanwhile, Harry Watling, another coach under Edwards, is set to follow him out of Teesside to become his assistant at Wolves.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard, 45, has not coached in England since being sacked by Aston Villa in October 2022 and replaced by Unai Emery.
The former England midfielder previously led Rangers to the Scottish title and recently rejected a return to Ibrox after leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in January after two-and-a-half years in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, O’Neil was the man Wolves originally wanted before Edwards, only for the 42-year-old to reveal he snubbed the chance to rejoin the club that sacked him 11 months ago.
He had previously led Bournemouth to survival and, like Gerrard, remains a free agent and would cost Boro nothing in compensation.
Spaniard Corberan, 42, is currently under huge pressure at Valencia in his homeland.
Marcelo Bielsa’s former Leeds No.2 went on to lead both Huddersfield Town and West Brom to the Championship play-offs before heading back to his homeland.
He left West Brom under a cloud last Christmas after his hometown team met his Hawthorns release clause but Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Real Betis left them 17th in LaLiga with just two wins from their opening 12 games.
Corberan was asked directly about Boro’s interest after that, but he attempted to brush that aside and instead claim all he is interested in is ending Valencia’s slump.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
CLASS ACTION
Major school hours shakeup revealed by Scots education bosses
ON TRACK
First look at new £18m train station being built near Glasgow
He said: “Regarding any rumours, I can only say that my commitment to turning things around is the absolute maximum.
“We’re going to give it our all to reverse this situation because nothing hurts us more than seeing Valencia like this.”
