Tony Pulis has emerged as the favourite to succeed Tony Mowbray, who left his job as Middlesbrough manager on Monday.
Former Boro central defender Mowbray was installed at the Riverside Stadium in 2010, and he was tasked with the job of returning them to the Premier League. However, such an achievement appears a long way off at the moment, with the Teesside club currently lying 16th in the Championship standings.
Having won just two of their opening 12 matches, the 3-2 defeat to Barnsley at the weekend was the final straw for the 49-year-old. Middlesbrough confirmed on Monday evening that Mowbray has left the club, with Mark Venus being placed in temporary charge ahead of the clash with Doncaster Rovers on Friday.
“Middlesbrough have announced that manager Tony Mowbray has left the club with immediate effect,” read a statement on the club’s official website. “The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Tony for all of his substantial efforts, dedication and integrity. He leaves with the very best wishes of all.”
As the search for a new manager begins, the experienced Pulis has been installed as the early favourite to take the job. The 55-year-old transformed Stoke City from a second-tier side to an established Premier League outfit, and his job description would be to repeat this at the Riverside. Other potential candidates for the position include Martin O’Neill, Nigel Clough, and Roberto Di Matteo.
