Nigel Pearson, Chris Hughton, Gabriel Batistuta and Michael Reiziger have been mentioned as potential replacements for Tony Pulis at the Riverside.
Nigel Pearson is keen on a return to English football with former club Middlesbrough, according to the Northern Echo, while Chris Hughton is likely to turn down any approach from the North East outfit.
Boro need to replace Tony Pulis after the experienced Welshman paid the price for finishing outside the Championship play-off places and it seems that owner Steve Gibson is considering a wide range of options.
Former Newcastle boss Hughton, who won the Championship title with The Magpies in 2010, has been mentioned as a potential replacement but The Echo points out that he only wants a Premier League job after two years at Brighton and Hove Albion.
But Pearson, who captained Middlesbrough to promotion twice in the late ‘90s, has indicated that he would love to return to Riverside.
“Middlesbrough is a football club that anyone in my position would have to contemplate. It’s a fantastic club. It’s a fantastic job. And Steve Gibson is a fantastic chairman,” the former Leicester and Derby boss, who has been out of work since leaving Belgian outfit OH Leuven, said.
Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta has put himself forward as a shock option but Middlesbrough are unlikely to take the punt on him, The Echo adds, but there is plenty of support at Riverside for Jong Ajax coach Michael Reiziger.
The former Holland and Barcelona defender played for Middlesbrough in the 2004/05 season.
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