Mark Venus in pole position to become permanent Middlesbrough manager

Caretaker manager Mark Venus has been installed as the narrow favourite to take the Middlesbrough job on a permanent basis. Venus took interim charge of Boro two weeks ago following the sacking of long-serving boss Tony Mowbray, and has since won one and lost one of his two matches in the dugout.

The club have revealed that Venus will remain in charge Boro’s game against Watford on Saturday, which could prove to be make or break for the 46-year-old. The former Wolves player enjoyed the perfect start after inspiring a 4-0 thrashing against Doncaster at Riverside, however his side then suffered a narrow defeat at Blackburn last weekend, which extended their dismal away record to six games without a win.

Chairman Steve Gibson is then likely to make an appointment during the upcoming two-week international break, with Venus currently the 15/8 frontrunner in the Next Middlesbrough Manager Market. Other contenders for the vacancy include Aitor Karanka at 3/1, while Fabrizio Ravanelli and Stuart Pearce can both be found at 8/1.