Front-runner Cooper highly rated by Riverside hierarchy

RETURN TO HOTSEAT FOR BORO LEGEND MOWBRAY WOULD ALSO MAKE SENSE

- By CRAIG JOHNS

MIDDLESBROUGH have sacked Michael Carrick and will immediately begin the process of finding his replacement.

Deciding in the end, after a disappointing season, that a new direction and fresh ideas were needed, the key now is finding the man to replace him. Who will be the man to arrive and provide those fresh ideas?

That's the next decision that Boro have to get right this summer. Finding the right man will be integral if the decision to sack Carrick is to prove the right one.

The search for Carrick's successor will get under way immediately and, with players not back for pre-season until the end of the month, they at least have some time to assess their options and conduct the relevant processes.

That said, a new manager will have new ideas and might need specific players in the summer transfer window. As such, the sooner an appointment is made the better for Boro's planning.

Steve Gibson, Kieran Scott and Neil Bausor are likely to be the three main men making the decision on who the next head coach will be.

The club are likely to seek some kind of continuation with their new boss as far as preferred style is concerned, and so a possession-based coach is likely the preference given the players that are at the club.

With that in mind, here are the early runners and riders.

STEVE COOPER

THE early front-runner, and with good reason. He’s understood to be someone held in high regard by officials at the Riverside.

Not available when Boro appointed Carrick in October 2022 having just recently won promotion at Nottingham Forest, he's been out of work since his ill-fated spell at Leicester City last season.

Reports suggested he turned down Championship roles during the season through a desire to stay in the Premier League.