STEVE GIBSON has described how he will assess every option available in his search to find Tony Pulis’ successor as he looks to "get it right" following Middlesbrough's failure to return to the Premier League under him.

The Boro chairman is ready to take the Teesside club in a new direction after confirming yesterday that Pulis’ contract will not be renewed.

Jonathan Woodgate, who has been on the backroom staff at the Riverside, is believed to be one of those under consideration to replace Pulis as Middlesbrough weigh up younger appointments after failing to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

Former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka, still well liked by the supporters, has admitted he would be open to a return to the Riverside, while ex-Brighton manager Chris Hughton and former skipper Nigel Pearson have also been touted.

Another Boro old boy, Michael Reiziger, is also being heavily linked because Middlesbrough are considering contenders from overseas, where he has been the lead coach for Ajax’s second team and he has also had a caretaker stint at Eredivisie level.

Looking down the foreign road, which Gibson did for the first time when he appointed Karanka and that ended in promotion, is something that would lead to a change of philosophy and style, similar to that which Norwich City have done and achieved promotion using.

Gibson said: “We’re in great shape. We have some very, very exciting youngsters coming through and it would great if the Academy for these kids is out on the pitch. And it may be that they’ll make mistakes, but they’ll also learn the game.

"And some of them are knocking on the door and some of them will be put into the team. We need to decide who the next coach is going to be, but we’re working on that. I spent an evening with Tony and it was very enjoyable and we went through what the club needed and he was tremendously, tremendously helpful.

"He gave me his views on certain players and he gave me his views on the youngsters and it’s exciting.

"There isn’t a timescale. The most important thing is that we get it right. I’ve had calls from agents and managers both in and out of work and I’ll handle all that in my own time and in a timescale that’s appropriate for me and the club. We grieved a little bit because we didn’t make the play-offs and we grieve because Tony has left, but we’ll be rejuvenated in a week. And we’ll get back at and prepare for next season.”

Middlesbrough are having to come up with a new plan on how to attack the Championship after the failure to secure promotion to the top-flight. It will have to be done without any more parachute payments from the Premier League.

The hope is that next manager will be able to bring a more expansive and attractive style of play to the Riverside, and that a new model can bring a brighter outlook to the club.

Pulis’ contract was up for renewal next month but it was decided not to extend it and Gibson informed him of the decision over dinner on Wednesday night in London.

Gibson said: “Tony signed a contract for 18 months and the target was to get us up and that hasn’t happened, so the contract has matured.

"Tony and I had a discussion and he’s an unbelievably good guy to work with, he’s full of integrity and, you know what, both of us were sad about the thought of not going forward, but we felt that was the right thing to do.

"Tony and I had the discussion and between us we’d decided that the contract had run its course, the relationship has run its course, we will remain friends and we enjoyed working with each other, but it’s a new chapter and we move on.

"None of us are getting any younger and Tony is really a Premier League manager. He’s got loads of energy, but where does he want to be? And we’ve got to run ourselves differently. Financial Fair Play is respected by our club and complied with by our club."

Middlesbrough finished a point outside of the play-off zone behind Derby County after a poor run of form saw them drop out of contention for a top two spot too.

Pulis, who took over in December 2017 after Garry Monk lost his job, also led Middlesbrough to the play-off semi-finals 12 months ago when they lost narrowly to Aston Villa.

He is now looking for a new job after stints with Stoke City, Crystal Palace and West Brom before taking over at Middlesbrough.

His initial appointment at the Riverside was greeted with a degree of optimism but his style of play and certain comments have disappointed the fans who expected Middlesbrough to stay in the mix for an automatic promotion spot.

Middlesbrough did boast a strong defensive record by conceding a joint-best low of 41 goals over the course of the season, but a lack of goals was crucial and they scored the least of any other team in the top half of the Championship.

Pulis said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time up in Middlesbrough and the club now needs to get itself back in shape financially. I hope I’ve played a big part in that and hopefully soon the ship will be pointing in the right direction.

“Everything like pre-season is in order so the next man who comes in won’t be picking up the pieces. I had a great night out with Steve where we discussed the future – his wine selection is absolutely first class. He has been a friend and I think our friendship has got stronger.”

He added: "I'm still fit enough and young enough to get out there and keep working. There is plenty of petrol still left in the tank and I'm already looking forward to the next challenge. I'm looking forward to a break but I still feel I've got something to offer."