After another hugely disappointing season at the helm of Middlesbrough, Tony Pulis is poised to leave the Riverside Stadium.

The Welshman has come under major scrutiny by the Boro faithful, after seeing their side slip out of the Sky Bet Championship play-off spots towards the end of the campaign.

Just five wins in their last 13 league games ruined the Teesside club's chances of finishing in the top six, leaving Pulis' job in the balance after failing to win promotion to the Premier League once again.

According to the Gazette, the 61-year old is now set to leave Middlesbrough, with his contract at the club set to expire imminently.

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Now, the board will be looking for a new manager who gets the best out of his players, and ultimately delivers promotion to the top-flight next term.

Here, we take a look at three perfect replacements for Pulis at the Riverside...

Chris Hughton

Hughton has recently been sacked by top-flight side Brighton and Hove Albion, but would be a very good appointment for Boro.

The 60-year old plays good football and is an expert at getting promoted from the Championship, having done so with both Newcastle and Brighton.

He would take Boro to the next level.

Aitor Karanka

Karanka is obviously no stranger to the Boro faithful, having managed the club between 2013 and 2017.

In that time, the Spanish manager guided Boro to automatic promotion in 2016, and his sacking certainly divided opinions.

Known for his possession-based football, his brand of football would be a massive upgrade on Pulis' and he would surely be welcomed back with open arms.

Jonathan Woodgate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is probably the most likely appointment that Boro will make.

The former Boro defender, who played for the club over 100 times, has been touted to replace Pulis once the latter leaves his post at the Riverside.

Having been on the coaching staff, he will know how to get the best out of the players, and would reunite the club with the fans for sure.