Former Bristol City midfielder Gary O’Neil is on Middlesbrough’s shortlist to replace Chris Wilder after the 55-year-old was sacked on Monday morning with the club 22nd in the Championship table.
Wilder has been dismissed after just two wins all season, with Boro supposed to be among the main promotion contenders, and increasing unpopularity within the fanbase at the Riverside following some questionable tactical decisions amid the declining results.
The Northern Echo report that O’Neil, who is currently serving as Bournemouth interim manager, is among the leading candidates for the job but there is an acceptance it may be hard to get the 39-year-old out of the Vitality Stadium. Coincidentally, prior to his sacking, Wilder was heavily linked with the vacancy at Bournemouth, speculation he furiously denied last week.
O’Neil, who made 36 appearances for Bristol City from 2016-2018, has impressed in the Cherries hotseat having led Bournemouth to a win and three draws in four matches after stepping up following Scott Parker’s abrupt dismissal.
But the club are yet to make a decision on his long-term future, a situation further complicated by American billionaire William Foley in the midst of completing a takeover of the Premier League club.
Leo Percovich will oversee Boro’s Championship fixture against Birmingham City alongside coaches Craig Liddle, Mark Tinkler and Lee Cattermole but reports indicate owner Steve Gibson wants to make an appointment before the weekend.
Boro are also set to speak to former Forest Green Rovers manager Rob Edwards, who was sacked by Watford last week after just 11 games, and Carlos Corberan who’s out of work after his dismissal at Olympiakos. Any links with former Burnley boss, and City defender, Sean Dyche appear to be wide of the mark.
Wilder is the sixth Championship manager to lose his job this season after Edwards (Watford), Shota Arvelade (Hull City), Steve Morison (Cardiff City), Michael O'Neill (Stoke City) and Danny Schofield (Huddersfield Town). Meanwhile, Rotherham United are set to appoint Matt Taylor as Paul Warne's replacement after he left for Derby County last month.
In a short statement, Middlesbrough said: "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Chris and his staff for all their hard work over the past 11 months."
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