Exclusive: Middlesbrough turn attention to Alex Neil after dramatic Rob Edwards development
Middlesbrough are set to sound out Millwall manager Alex Neil about becoming their new manager, sources have told Football Insider.
Rob Edwards is now close to landing the Wolves job, and has been stood down from managing Boro‘s clash against Birmingham City at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Edwards did not take charge of Middlesbrough’s training on Friday (7 November) as he continues to edge towards an exit, and plans are now being put in place for his replacement.
Sources say Boro have set their sights on Neil as their first-choice target, and plan to make contact with the 44-year-old to assess his interest in the role.
The Millwall boss has led his side to seven wins from 14 games so far this season, as they currently sit fifth in the Championship ahead of their clash with Preston North End.
Rob Edwards closing in on Wolves agreement
Football Insider revealed on 6 November that Wolves had held talks with Edwards over taking over the vacant managerial position in the coming days.
Vitor Pereira was sacked following a 3-0 defeat to Fulham last weekend, leaving the Molineux outfit scrambling for a new boss to take the reins.
Brendan Rodgers and Erik ten Hag were the early favourites, but Edwards has now emerged as the clear front-runner and is believed to be closing in on the job.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed that Edwards is “very keen” to be Wolves’ next manager, despite Boro’s reluctance to see him leave.
Edwards had led Middlesbrough to seven wins, five draws and just two defeats from 14 games and had inspired hopes of promotion after a long spell away from the top flight.
However, despite talks of a long-term project and ambitious plans for the future, he looks set to jump ship to join the Premier League’s bottom club.
Alex Neil emerging as leading candidate for Middlesbrough
Neil has emerged as the leading candidate for Middlesbrough thanks to the success he has had with Millwall since taking over from Neil Harris in December 2024.
Due to what has been a successful stint so far at The Den, the boss put pen to paper on a new long-term contract in May to commit his future to the club.
Boro would now be made to pay a significant compensation fee if they were to make a move to bring Neil to the Riverside as they assess a number of replacements.
Neil has previous experience of leading teams to promotion, having done so with Norwich City, where he beat Boro in the 2014-15 playoff final.
He has since spent periods at Preston, Sunderland, Stoke and now Millwall, but could be given another shot at promotion to the Premier League should he opt to join Middlesbrough.
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