TERRY VENABLES has emerged as the front-runner to take charge of Valencia after the favourite for the job yesterday ruled himself out.

Alaves coach Jose Manuel Esnal was strongly tipped to succeed Hector Cuper next season.

But Esnal insists he has no intention of joining the Champions' League semi-finalists, who meet Leeds United in the last four after disposing of Arsenal.

Esnal said: "This is the second time I have had to deny reports that I am joining Valencia.

"I now hope people will take notice and start to believe what I am saying.''

Middlesbrough head coach Venables, who enjoyed a successful spell with Barcelona in the Eighties when he led them to the Spanish League title, now tops the shortlist drawn up by Valenica chief Pedro Cortes.

Sources in Spain say Cortes has openly admitted that 58-year-old Venables is the man he wants.

The former England boss is on a six-month agreement with relegation-battlers Boro, which runs out at the end of the season.

A lucrative deal as senior analyst with ITV awaits.

But Venables, who on his Teesside arrival declared the job was likely to be his last in football, has since refused to discount the possibility of remaining in the game and Boro chairman Steve Gibson is anxious to retain his services in some capacity.

Northern Echo Sport revealed over a month ago that Valencia wanted Venables and when asked whether he could be a candidate for such a post, he said: "I don't see why I would rule anything out - I don't think I ever have. But there is no club that I am talking to.''

Venables, brought in at the behest of beleaguered manager Bryan Robson to save Boro from the drop, edged nearer completion of his rescue mission after Saturday's impressive 3-0 win at Leicester.

Croatian strike ace Alen Boksic conjured a sublime goal, his 12th for Boro, with an exquisitely-executed 25-yard chip.

"Those who watch Middlesbrough know he is capable of scoring that type of goal,'' said Venables.

"He has been very close in several games where he has hit the post or hit the bar or just missed.

"The one which sticks in my mind is the one at Liverpool where he turned beautifully and chipped the keeper but hit the bar.''

Colombian striker Hamilton Ricard opened the scoring for Boro at Filbert Street with his second goal in three games.

Venables said: "Hamilton took a slight knock and I was going to bring him off, but he kept saying he was OK.

"He's played well recently since he had a rest and cleared up a groin problem. He's looked a lot better.''

* Boro winger Alan Moore has begun a trial with First Division promotion-chasers Preston North End. The injury-plagued Republic of Ireland international, 26, is out of contract this summer.

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