Former Hartlepool United boss among leading contenders to land Championship manager's job
Former Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor is among the favourites to become the next Middlesbrough boss.
It's been a dramatic few days at the Riverside Stadium after manager Rob Edwards, who was only appointed in June, was stood down from Boro's game against Birmingham on Saturday and given permission to speak to Premier League strugglers Wolves, who sacked Vitor Pereira earlier this month.
While Edwards, who made more than 100 appearances during a four-year spell at Molineux as a player, is yet to be officially confirmed as Pereira's successor in the West Midlands, it seems like his controversial departure is only a matter of time after Middlesbrough revealed they were "disappointed to learn that he (Edwards) wanted to speak with Wolves".
That means that the rumour mill is already in full swing as Middlesbrough, who are second in the Championship following an impressive start to the season, begin their search for a potential new manager.
Among the names in the running is former Pools boss Challinor, who has been at the helm of Stockport County since leaving Victoria Park in November 2021. During that time, the 50-year-old, who captained the Hatters during his playing days, has led the Greater Manchester side from the National League to League One, with County currently top of the table having been beaten in the play-off semi-finals last term.
Indeed, Challinor has a hugely impressive managerial record having led Colwyn Bay to promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division before winning three promotions as well as the FA Trophy during a memorable eight-year stint with AFC Fylde and steering Pools back to the Football League, winning promotion via the play-offs in 2021.
Challinor, who is widely regarded as one of Pools' greatest ever managers, is rated as a 33/1 shot to land the Middlesbrough job according to Oddschecker, with the likes of Gary O'Neill, who played for Boro, Valencia head coach Carlos Corberan, Tony Mowbray, Brian Barry-Murphy, Steven Gerrard and former England manager Gareth Southgate also touted as among the leading contenders.