Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill will not be the new Middlesbrough manager after he decided not to re-start his career at the Riverside.
O’Neill is now being linked to a move to Sunderland, while former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley is the new favourite for the Boro job.
Other names that have been thrown about include Hull and England under-21 manager Peter Taylor, Hibs boss Tony Mowbray and former Rangers boss Alex McLeish.
However, with the managerial merry-go-round showing no signs of slowing down, the eventual manager could prove to be a surprise.
What does seem clear is that Boro chairman Steve Gibson is keen to keep coaches Steve Round and Steve Harrison and allow Gareth Southgate’s non-playing career to develop.
While some fans will be upset that O’Neill will not be coming to the Riverside, perhaps a quick look at his actual managerial record will cheer them up slightly.
After all, small clubs have repeated his feats with Leicester and it’s arguably harder not to win trophies than not with Celtic.
Perhaps Alan Curbishley or Peter Taylor, who are similar managers, would be a great choice to continue the development of the football club that Steve McClaren took to the final of the UEFA Cup.
Just as long as David O’Leary stays at Aston Villa and Graeme Souness stays, erm, wherever he has gone.
Can’t blame him really. A bigger job will come up for him.
What bigger job? What has O’Neill actually done – piddled about with Wycombe, Leicester and then moved to Celtic where, because of the politics of the club, he was going to be treated as a living God.
Curbishley or Taylor for me. They are real managers, not just names.
i think curbs could do a good job at boro
o neil is overated i think i could do a job with celtic in the scottish league it will be interesting to see what would be like in the premiership too see if he is a good manager or not.
I think a toilet cleaner at McDonalds is a bigger job than this.
” venables and now oneill- who is next to turn you down?”
Lucky escape O’Neil is overated. The only reason his Celtic side dominated is because the Rangers team at the time was so bad. Mogga would have been a good replacement, but he has just re-instated his loyalty to Hibs after their announcement that they will build a new state of art youth and training academy.
How about Alex McLeish, I think he could do well with a decent transfer budget behind him and he did win 7 trophies in 4 years at Ibrox under a tight budget (almost no money), most players were bought on the bosman rule. Also, he took Rangers into the last 16 of the Champions League…They were the first Scottish team to do it and again it was with almost no money…
Why go for O’Neil when you could have McLeish, McLeish won more trophies is less time than O’Neil…..
McLeish could do a very good job, I’m with you there.
” mcleish- will he tyurn you down too? it seems nobody wants to manage you”
Peter Taylor would do a great job for you, Curbishly would not fit in, McLeish is also a good shout.
I think you’ll go for Southgate, although if it were my team, it’s not what i’d want. If you think of yourself as a top club, you should always employ people with an established CV. Then put yer man in beside him to learn the ropes.
He’s had several job offers – and turned a few down as well! I reckon he would be good for you!
who would whanna manage this lot no 1 would thats y ya got southgate as ya manager lol ya going nowhere lol
I think Southgate will be missed in defence