Middlesbrough have already held talks with former Watford manager Rob Edwards over replacing sacked boss Chris Wilder.
The Northern Echo say that Edwards and Bournemouth caretaker manager Gary O’Neil are both in the frame to take over at the Riverside Stadium.
Discussions have already taken place with Edwards, and Boro chairman Steve Gibson and head of football Kieran Scott rate him for what he did with Forest Green in League Two.
The pair want a new manager in place by the time Boro face Millwall at the weekend, so things are expected to move quickly.
Rob Edwards holds talks with Middlesbrough
O’Neil is of course trying to audition for the Bournemouth job, which would see him get a Premier League gig at the first time of asking.
Keeping the Cherries afloat is a huge ask, but he may fancy a crack at it, although Wilder could easily pitch up on the south coast.
On paper, Wilder was a real coup, given the work he did with Sheffield United but it did not click for him at Boro, and he was sacked with the club 22nd in the table.
When Edwards was appointed manager of Watford, former England manager Roy Hodgson praised him, saying as per the Watford Observer: “They’ve obviously appointed a very talented young coach.
“I know exactly what he’s done at Forest Green and I know the success he’s had there.”
At Forest Green, Edwards managed Jamille Matt, who told the Stroud Times: “Man management-wise, he’s (Rob Edwards) the best I’ve worked under.”