‘Middlesbrough face manager setback in pursuit of Danny Rohl and Rob Edwards’: ‘An issue’
Middlesbrough are on the lookout for a new manager, with Danny Rohl and Rob Edwards potential candidates for the role, but their pursuit may have hit a stumbling block.
Michael Carrick was sacked by Boro on Wednesday (4 June), after the former Manchester United midfielder failed to guide the Teeside club to the Championship play-offs for the second consecutive season.
In a statement, it was confirmed that assistant coaches Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick will also be departing the Riverside.
Boro finished tenth in the second tier, four points adrift of Bristol City in sixth, but won just one of their final six games as their Premier League ambitions slipped away.
| Position | Team | Points |
| 9th | West Brom | 64 |
| 10th | Middlesbrough | 64 |
| 11th | Swansea | 61 |
Rohl and Edwards to cost extra for Middlesbrough
Immediately after Carrick’s departure, Rohl and Edwards have emerged as two of the leading candidates to replace him at the Riverside.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that current Sheffield Wednesday boss Rohl has a poor relationship with controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri, and could be tempted by a move away from Hillsborough.
Edwards has been out of a job since he was sacked by Luton Town at the start of January, with the Hatters succumbing to Championship relegation despite parting ways with the 42-year-old.
However, talkSPORT chief football reporter Alex Crook has reported that there are stumbling blocks regarding both managers.
Crook revealed that Rohl is admired by the Boro higher-ups, but his Sheffield Wednesday buyout clause could be an issue for the Teeside club.
In terms of Edwards, Luton will still be owed some compensation if the former Watford and Forest Green boss was handed the job at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough desperate to take final step
Football Insider Verdict
Under Carrick, Middlesbrough were an incredibly attractive team to watch, but at times the former England international was criticised for his inability to change style and adapt to the situation.
Boro haven’t been in the Premier League since they were relegated back in 2016/17, and they are desperate to get back to the top flight.
Rohl has done a superb job at Wednesday considering the situation, but the German is the safe appointment, and Steve Gibson should be looking at Edwards if he is serious about pushing for promotion.
Granted, Edwards is a huge risk; the former Luton boss failed dramatically in his final season at Kenilworth Road, but the upside of appointing the Englishman is much bigger.
The ex-Wolves defender guided the Hatters into the Premier League through the play-offs in the 2022/23 campaign, and the experience of Championship promotion is invaluable.
Edwards has proven that he is an excellent man manager, and he would likely be able to get the best out of an already talented Middlesbrough squad, potentially hauling them into the top-flight.