Middlesbrough hope to appoint their new manager this week and Jonathan Woodgate is the leading contender for the role, according to the Northern Echo.

Boro have been looking for a permanent manager for over three weeks now, after the club decided not to renew Tony Pulis' contract after 18 months in charge at the Riverside.

The decision came after Pulis failed to guide the club to promotion from the Championship this season, as Boro seventh in the table, one point outside the play-off places.

Former Boro defender Woodgate is currently the leading candidate for the role, after working as a first-team coach under Pulis last season and was formally interviewed at the start of this month.

The 39-year-old is the only viable internal candidate and is thought to have impressed chairman Steve Gibson with his long-term vision for the club and his plans for the academy.

Former Fulham and Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic has also had an interview, but this latest report states that Woodgate is the preferred candidate, despite having no previous experience as a manager.

The Verdict

Woodgate is a very good coach and could be a good appointment for Middlesbrough, although he has no experience as a manager, so his appointment would have to be considered a big risk.

Whoever takes charge at the Riverside this summer will be expected to guide the club to promotion next season, so it will be interesting to see if Woodgate can handle the pressure, if he is appointed.

Woodgate obviously knows the club very well and will have the advantage of having worked with the players as a first-team coach last season.