Former Hartlepool assistant odds on to land Middlesbrough job

The former Hartlepool United assistant is in temporary charge at the Riverside, following the departure of manager Aitor Karanka last week.

And despite some high-profile names being linked with the job, which has included speculation of a return for former boss Bryan Robson, it appears as if Steve Gibson is favouring giving caretaker Agnew the reins, potentially until the end of the season.

According to bookies BoyleSports, Agnew is now priced at just 1/3 to take over at Boro, down from 9/2 last week.

Former Boro boss Robson is second favourite at 6/1, with ex-players Tony Mowbray and Paul Ince at 20s.

Agnew joined Pools in 2005 as assistant manager, but left for a youth job at Leeds United the following year.

He is in his second stint at Middlesbrough, having been assistant between 2007-2012. Agnew took charge of first-team affairs last week after Spaniard Karanka left the club, and was in the dugout for Boro's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

On the runners and riders for the job, spokesman for BoyleSports Liam Glynn, said: "It now looks as though current caretaker manager; Steve Agnew is going to be offered the permanent managerial position, judging by the support for him on Tuesday morning which saw his price cut into 1/3 from 5/6.

"Bryan Robson had been the subject to support over the weekend and throughout Monday, however this has now dried up and it’s all about Agnew. It now looks like it’s a matter of whether he wants to accept the permanent position or not judging by the weight of support behind him."

Next Permanent Middlesbrough Manager

Steve Agnew 1/3

Bryan Robson 6/1

Harry Redknapp, Nigel Pearson 14/1

Paul Ince, Tony Mowbray 20/1

Alan Pardew 22/1

Alan Stubbs, Steve McClaren, Martin O’Neill, Kenny Jackett, Gus Hiddink, Steve Bruce, Ralf Rangnick, Dougie Freedman, Tim Sherwood, Nigel Clough, Claudio Ranieri 25/1