GEORGE BOATENG has warmed to the idea of staying at Middlesbrough but has delayed his final decision until after the identity of his new manager has been confirmed.

Much has been made of the Dutchman's reluctance to pen the latest contract that has been offered at the Riverside Stadium, where he is hoping to become one of the club's highest paid players.

But a failure to clinch a place in the Holland squad for this summer's World Cup means he is now in a position to thrash out his future on Teesside.

Boateng had privately hoped that appearing in the Germany finals would have allowed him to showcase his talents in the shop window, with AC Milan among a number of clubs credited with an interest.

But now, with no chance of earning a late call up from coach Marco van Basten, Boateng knows he will have to sit down with his agent Sigi Lens and discuss where he goes from here.

His contract with Boro runs out at the end of next month and is free to talk to any potential employers in the meantime regarding a free transfer.

But, with his family settled in the North-East after four years under Steve McClaren's management, the 30-year-old is on the verge of accepting that Boro could be the best solution for all.

A lot could depend, though, on how quickly chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith lamb can appoint a new manager.

With McClaren gone, Terry Venables is at the front of the queue and negotiations are likely this weekend. Boro's two chief negotiators return from a trip to Singapore today.

Boateng's situation is seen as a priority by Lamb, who is keen to ensure there is no repeat of the way Bolo Zenden left to join Liverpool for nothing a year ago.

There has been something of a stand off between player and club in terms of making progress in talks in recent months, although the official line emanating from the Riverside has always been that they remain 'ongoing'.

But Boateng, a vital factor in Boro's push to the UEFA Cup final, is seriously doubting whether it would be a good decision to leave and could be about to commit to the club.

According to the former Aston Villa midfielder, who has previously indicated his 'heart and mind' remains with Boro, things would have been made easier had McClaren stayed in charge.

Boateng feels McClaren, who takes charge of England on August 1, will be a difficult man to replace.

"When he joined Middlesbrough five years ago the team was fighting relegation and look where they are now," said the Dutchman, who would concede his below par showing in the UEFA Cup final last week cost him his World Cup place.

"People criticise him and say with the support he has had from the chairman he should have done better but what he has done is still a great achievement.

"Some people have said he is a better coach than a manager, and you will always have people who think differently, but if you have worked with him you realise it is not true. He can manage, he can coach and he has his own mind.

"The reason I joined Middlesbrough was because of him. He made time for me when I first joined and he came to my hotel to speak to me beforehand. Players really appreciate that sort of thing."

One of Boateng's younger team-mates on Teesside has revealed the satisfaction he has felt from going from League One defender to UEFA Cup hopeful inside eight months.

Teenager Andrew Taylor - named Sports Personality of the Year in his hometown of Hartlepool on Wednesday - spent the first few months of the campaign on loan at Bradford City.

But, after injuries to Franck Queudrue and Emanuel Pogatetz, McClaren recalled him and pitched him straight into action against Arsenal at Highbury in February - a game which ended in a 7-0 thrashing.

That Premiership debut was hard, as he struggled to contend with the threat of Frederik Ljungberg. Ever since he has grown as a defender and admits he was frustrated not to have started in Eindhoven nine days ago.

"I was very disappointed not to be involved if I'm honest. I thought I had a chance of making the bench but it wasn't meant to be," said the 19-year-old. "But just to be part of an occasion like that is a great honour and one I will never forget. I certainly never thought I would be there when I was playing for Bradford back in December.

"To play against the likes of Henry and Ljungberg is a real honour and it can only improve me as a player.''

* Tony Mowbray has emerged as the No 1 choice of Ipswich to replace Joe Royle. Hibs have given the former Boro skipper permission to speak to the club.

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