Middlesbrough manager search news: Gary O'Neil update, Carlos Corberan talk, Tony Mowbray stance | OneFootball

The latest news regarding Middlesbrough's search for a new manager

The story of the weekend in the Championship was the quick-developing saga linking Rob Edwards with a move away to Premier League side Wolves, just five months after arriving at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough had initially rejected Wolves' approach to speak with the 42-year-old, but after Edwards' pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Birmingham City was cancelled following him not taking training last Friday, the writing was seemingly on the wall.

The former Luton manager was stood down as Boro boss last weekend, stating that they were "disappointed" in his decision to explore the Wolves job, as Edwards had signed a three-year deal upon his arrival, and sat third going into last weekend's games.

However, it's now only a matter of time before Edwards is revealed as Wolves' new boss, with Boro set to receive £3-£4 million in compensation, although the financial bonus may not be worth the added strain for Steve Gibson and co, who now have to scramble to find a new manager for the second time since June.

Here's all the latest surrounding that search, and who is currently in the running to replace Edwards in the dugout at The Riverside.

Experienced Championship manager duo linked with Middlesbrough job

The rumour mill has been swirling over the past weekend, as several names have been linked with the Middlesbrough job, two of which have proven Championship pedigree.

TalkSPORT reported on Saturday that former Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan has been identified as a possible Rob Edwards replacement, depending on how his situation at La Liga club Valencia develops.

Despite taking over Valencia when they were battling relegation last winter and steering them comfortably into mid-table, the start of the current campaign has reflected that of last season, with just two wins in their opening 12 league games.

Corberan could be sitting on the hot seat at the Mestalla Stadium, and if he's axed, a move back to a division where he's finished in the play-offs with his two former sides could be a move which he explores.

Also linked is current Millwall boss Alex Neil, who is currently battling hard to get his club into the play-offs this season after falling just shy last term.

The Lions are currently sitting inside the top six, with seven wins in their opening 15 games.

Neil did sign a new long-term contract in the summer, so Middlesbrough would have to pay a compensation fee of their own to bring the 43-year-old to The Riverside. But with an extra £3-£4 million lying about now, perhaps that could be an avenue that Boro explore.

Tony Mowbray seemingly out of the running, as Cardiff City boss considered

Former Boro boss Tony Mowbray was the leading candidate in the hours following the news surrounding Edwards' press conference cancellation, but Alan Nixon has since reported that a double hernia operation may rule him out of a return to the side he spent three years at in the early 2010s.

Instead, he's put forward the links of Brian Barry-Murphy, the current Cardiff City boss, who is enjoying life back in senior management after a four-year period of managing the Manchester City Elite Development Squad and being the first-team coach at Leicester City.

The Bluebirds are currently sat fourth in League One, albeit with a game in hand on the three sides above them and a two-point gap separating them from top spot.

The Irishman has yet to manage higher in a division higher than the third tier, however, so this could be seen as a bit of a risk for a Boro side who are still in a good place in the battle for promotion in the Championship.

However, with all these rumours surrounding new managers coming to the club in the near future, the possibility of Adi Viveash stepping up from assistant to the number one has gone slightly under the radar.

Viveash was in the dugout this past Saturday when Middlesbrough beat a red-hot Birmingham side who had won 4-0 in each of their prior two games, and despite operating as a number two for the vast majority of his coaching career, perhaps the 56-year-old could be the man to carry Boro forward.

When asked after the 2-1 win whether he'd be interested in stepping up from assistant to head coach, Viveash said: "The only thing I'm interested in at the minute is finishing this interview and going to have a glass of red wine.

"I'm grateful that I was given the opportunity, and I hope I took it in the right way. Thankfully, we've given the fans a good day at the end of a difficult week."

The caretaker boss pushed the narrative onto the fans, but didn't completely rule out the possibility of taking the job.

However, updates on Monday (November 10) have potentially indicated that the Birmingham battle will be Viveash's only one as caretaker manager.

Gary O'Neil opens talks with Middlesbrough

According to Football Insider, Middlesbrough may be reacting to Edwards leaving to go to Wolves by hiring former Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, after he emerged as their number one target on Monday (10 November).

O'Neil withdrew from the running to return to Molineux last week as he felt the job wasn't right for him at the time. The 42-year-old has been out of work since he departed Wolves in December 2024, and hasn't worked below the Premier League in his short managerial career.

However, this may all change, as O'Neil is eying a move to The Riverside, where he spent four years as a player between 2007 and 2011, making 119 appearances for Boro.