Middlesbrough are reportedly deciding between Garry Monk and Nigel Pearson to become their new manager.
Former Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
According to Sky Sports, Middlesbrough are set to decide between Garry Monk and Nigel Pearson, with the two men allegedly in a straight fight to become their new manager.
Boro parted ways with Aitor Karanka in March, and rather than appoint an immediate replacement, they handed the reins to Steve Agnew until the end of the season.
With relegation to the Championship confirmed though, Agnew isn’t in contention to win the job on a permanent basis – and it seems that Boro have narrowed their search down to just two men.
Ex-Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
Sky Sports claim that Garry Monk and Nigel Pearson are left in the running for the job, and Boro will decide which one of them to appoint in the near future.
Pearson, 53, made more than 100 appearances for Middlesbrough during his playing days, and whilst he certainly knows the club, his patchy managerial record of late may cause some concern.
General view of Middlesbrough’s Riverside stadium
Pearson won the Championship title with Leicester in 2014 before keeping them in the Premier League in 2015, but he left the club acrimoniously just months later, and his short spell in charge of Derby in 2016 was a complete disaster.
Whilst Pearson has been out of work since October, his rival Monk has only been a free agent for a couple of weeks, having surprisingly handed in his resignation at Leeds United in May.
Garry Monk
Monk, 38, impressed this past season by taking Leeds to a seventh-placed finish, and having rebuilt his reputation following his sacking at Swansea, Monk is again considered as one of the top young managers in the country.
The report claims that Monk has also held talks over becoming Sunderland manager, but he currently prefers a move to Middlesbrough – and Boro are now left with a tough decision on who to appoint as their new boss as they look to bounce back from relegation.
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