Next Middlesbrough manager odds: Steven Gerrard the favourite to replace Rob Edwards

IMAGO Who will take the hot-seat at Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium?

Despite Rob Edwards leading Middlesbrough to second in the Championship table and a front-runner for the title, the lure of his old club Wolves was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.

It is certainly a gamble and he even claimed it was “one of the toughest decisions of his career” to leave Boro amid their excellent start.

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Owner Steve Gibson is now on the hunt for a fifth permanent manager of the decade. The question is, who will be next to step into the dugout at the Riverside?

FIRST.com’s official partners William Hill have installed former Aston Villa and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard as the favourite to replace Edwards.

There are several other candidates, however, ranging from a former England boss to someone who has managed both north and south of the border.

Steven Gerrard – 9/4

It looked as though Gerrard was close to returning to Ibrox, not once, but twice, across the previous six months. 

He came closest in October, turning the job down as things were “not perfect” for him to seal a return to Rangers.

As such, he has been installed as the 9/4 frontrunner thanks to William Hill. Following underwhelming stints with both Villa and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq, perhaps a Championship club is the perfect platform for him to revive his managerial career.

With Boro fighting for promotion to the Premier League, Gerrard could be back in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

Gary O’Neil – 10/3

O’Neil has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, taking charge of Bournemouth and Wolves during his career in the dugout.

It looked as though he was making a remarkable return to Molineux, but things didn’t materialise for the 42-year-old.

Despite this, he is odds of 10/3 to end up at Boro as Gibson aims to appoint a new man swiftly in order to maintain the momentum built by Edwards this season.

Gareth Southgate – 9/2

Landing a figure like Southgate would be a major boost for Boro, and given his connection with the club, don’t rule anything out.

Of course, the former England national team manager played over 200 times for the club, winning the League Cup and leading them to a UEFA Cup final appearance in 2006.

He has been without a role since departing England in the summer of 2024. William Hill has the 55-year-old down as the third favourite at odds of 9/2 to take over Boro for the second time in his career.

Carlos Corberán – 5/1

Corberan is currently in charge of La Liga side Valencia, having taken over the role in December 2024.

He has only won 14 of his 37 matches in charge of the Spanish side, however, as they hover over the relegation zone in 17th place.

Under these circumstances, the former West Bromwich Albion boss is sitting at odds of 5/1 to make a Championship return, ending his dismal period in the Spanish top flight.

Brendan Rodgers – 11/2

Rodgers’ second spell in charge of Celtic ended acrimoniously last month, with Hearts leading the way and in the running for the Scottish Premiership title, departing Glasgow under a cloud for the second time in six years.

He is a free agent, but he hasn’t managed at this level since leading Swansea City to promotion during the 2010/11 campaign.

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed periods of success throughout his career, notably north of the border and leading Leicester City to the FA Cup.

As a caveat, he is often a polarizing figure and tends to fall out with directors and chairmen before leaving a club. William Hill have priced a move to Boro at 11/2.

Tony Mowbray – 8/1

Like Southgate, Mowbray has managed and played for Boro before. His spell between 2010 and 2013 saw the club finish in the top 10 just once – 7th during the 2011/12 season.

Since then, he has been in charge of five clubs, but failed to achieve promotion with any of them. Notably coming close with Sunderland in 2023, losing in the semi-finals to Coventry City.

Odds of 8/1 suggest he is a longshot in the race to become the next Boro manager. Could a wealth of experience suggest he is the man to steer the ship over the coming months, however? 

Watch this space.

Latest next Middlesbrough manager odds 

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Odds correct at the time of writing.