MIDDLESBROUGH’S search for a new manager looks set to roll into next week, with chairman Steve Gibson hoping to make an appointment within the next fortnight.

It is understood that neither former Chelsea captain John Terry nor Lincoln City’s Danny Cowley are in contention for the job.

Middlesbrough’s first team coach Jonathan Woodgate remains a firm favourite for the position after impressing during an interview following Tony Pulis’ departure.

But Gibson is determined for the credentials of all the candidates to be considered before confirming the club’s next manager, and The Northern Echo understands a decision is unlikely to arrive this week.

Boro’s chief executive Neil Bausor and head of recruitment operations Adrian Bevington are believed to be doing most of the talking with applicants for the role.

But the likes of Terry – who was part of Aston Villa’s play-off final backroom team at Wembley on Monday – is not thought to be in the running at this stage.

Former Sunderland boss Simon Grayson, whose price has come in with the bookmakers in recent days, is another not thought to be on the radar, and neither is ex-Boro skipper Nigel Pearson.

Slavisa Jokanovic is known to have chatted to the club, while Ajax’s former Boro defender Michael Reiziger is another who has been heavily linked.

But coach Woodgate does have support from within the playing squad and he would follow in the footsteps of other coaches given their first frontline manager’s chance by Gibson.

Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren, Gareth Southgate and Aitor Karanka all got their big break at the Riverside Stadium, and Gibson is certainly not ruling out a move of similar ilk.

But Boro are in no immediate rush to get things tied up and are considering all options, knowing whoever does come in can start with a completely fresh start after the recent cull of the backroom team.

The decisions to let Curtis Fleming and Paul Stephenson leave along with Pulis’ trusted lieutenants means that the new boss can draft in whoever he feels he wants to have on his staff.

Middlesbrough are set for another campaign in the Championship and the new man will have to work under tighter financial constraints given the absence of parachute payments ahead of spending a third season outside the Premier League in a row.

Gibson has been forthright in his opinions over the last few months to the EFL over what he insists are clear breaches of financial rules.

And it has emerged he has written to Derby County vowing to take legal action, with Gibson alleging that Rams chief Mel Morris has broken profitability and sustainability rules.

Middlesbrough are said to be furious that Derby reported a £14.6m profit in their 2017-18 accounts after Morris had sold the club’s Pride Park stadium and then leased it back. Derby, beaten by Aston Villa at Wembley yesterday in the play-off final, are adamant they have been compliant.

Villa, who will now take their place in the Premier League next season, and Sheffield Wednesday have also been criticised by Gibson.

Morris has refuted such claims and the row looks set to rumble on.