Championship rivals Stoke City sacked Steven Schumacher on Monday and one former Middlesbrough manager is in contention to take the job.
Stoke confirmed Schumacher’s departure on Monday morning, less than 48 hours after losing 1-0 away to newly promoted Oxford United.
Under Schumacher, Stoke beat Middlesbrough 5-0 in the Carabao Cup earlier this season and now it seems that a former Boro boss could be in line for the vacant job.
Middlesborough legend Tony Mowbray linked with Stoke City job
Several names have been linked with the Staffordshire club however one closer to home is in the form of Tony Mowbray.
The 60-year-old has been out of work since leaving Birmingham City at the end of last season due to ill health.
Mowbrary recently stated his desire to return to management, saying via Birmingham Live: “I feel as if I want to go back to work sometime soon.
“I appreciate I’m still a bit weak, and as a football manager you need energy, you need to be at it all the time. I need to give myself a few months, probably playing golf and walking 18 holes
“After that I hope to get back to work and do what makes me tick, being around young footballers and trying to educate. Football management today is about empathy with players, let them understand that we’re all on the same side.”
Dave Challinor, currently in charge of League One side Stockport County, is the favourite for the job, however, Mowbray is thought to be highly regarded and is the second favorite to become the new Stoke boss.
Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough career
Mowbray’s time at the Riverside Stadium was short-lived, but he has always been looked back on fondly.
Appointed in 2010, replacing Gordon Strachan, Mowbray guided the Teesiders to Championship safety after joining them when they were 22nd in the table.
Youngsters such as Joe Bennett and Marvin Emnes were all given chances in the side and during his first full season in charge of Boro, Mowbray and co narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
He would leave the club in October 2013 following a run of games that saw them win just two in 12.