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Steven Gerrard has been named as a potential candidate for the Middlesbrough managerial role, as the club braces for Rob Edwards' departure to Wolves.
With Boro granting Edwards permission to engage with the Premier League team after only five months at Riverside, a position is set to become available. Edwards, 42, has accepted a three-and-a-half-year contract with Wolves, a club he represented over 100 times during his playing days and later coached in their academy.
This leaves Middlesbrough, who are set to receive a substantial £3 million ($4 million) in compensation, on the hunt for a new manager to maintain the team's Championship promotion campaign. Liverpool legend Gerrard is reportedly one of three candidates being considered by Boro at this early stage, following his decision to turn down a return to Rangers last month.
Gerrard, along with former Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray and Valencia boss Carlos Coberan, are all being linked with the job. Mowbray has both played and managed Boro, while Coberan has Championship experience with West Brom.
Gerrard has yet to manage in England's second tier, having moved to Aston Villa from Rangers exactly four years ago. The 45-year-old most recently managed Saudi Arabian team Al-Ettifaq, stepping down in January after an 18-month stint.
Last month, Gerrard was strongly linked with a return to the managerial role at Rangers following the dismissal of Russell Martin.
However, the former England skipper felt the timing wasn't right, paving the way for former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl to step in.
In an interview with TNT Sports earlier this month, Gerrard admitted he was on the brink of a return to Ibrox: "Very close. I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners.
"It felt a bit rushed to me because I had my family in Bahrain at the time. I had a lot to think about in a short space of time to give a decision.
"There were a few things I was uncertain about, and if I am going to take a challenge that big and that important, I have got that affection and that connection with Rangers.
"For me to take that on again, it would have to be perfect, and I had to be 100 percent ready.
"Unfortunately, I was not due to the timing, so I stepped aside, and I wish them all the best. They have got a fantastic manager now. I will watch as a fan from afar, and I will wish them all the best."
Meanwhile, at Middlesbrough, experienced coach Adrian Viveash - a member of Edwards' coaching team - led the side to a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City at home on Saturday.
Fans displayed a banner criticising Edwards and voiced their disapproval, with Edwards having been relieved of his duties prior to the match.
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