LEE CATTERMOLE is the new favourite to be installed as Middlesbrough’s new manager, with the club continuing to assess their options as they ponder how best to replace Chris Wilder.

Cattermole is part of the temporary coaching set-up that was installed in the immediate aftermath of Wilder’s departure.

The former Boro midfielder is working alongside academy boss Craig Liddle and fellow senior coach Mark Tinkler, assisting Leo Percovich, who will remain in temporary charge for Saturday’s home game with Blackburn Rovers.

While Percovich is not understood to be under consideration for a permanent post, Cattermole is increasingly being viewed as a viable option despite his lack of coaching and managerial experience.

The Stockton-born 34-year-old only finished playing in the summer of 2020, but since then, he has been working on his coaching badges and developing his coaching career.

He was confirmed as part of Boro’s backroom team in January, taking on the role of Under-18s lead coach at Rockliffe Park.

He has impressed senior Boro officials over the course of the next ten months, to the point where he now appears certain to play a senior role within the coaching set-up no matter what happens in terms of the appointment of a new permanent boss.

Increasingly, however, the prospect of him being that new boss is being considered, with a major plunge in his odds overnight highlighting the extent to which he is now firmly in the running.

Cattermole has been backed in to 1-2 favouritism with bookmakers Sky Bet, and while managerial markets are notoriously volatile, there is clearly a weight of support behind his candidature.

Michael Carrick is seemingly out of the running, with talks with the former Manchester United midfielder yesterday having resulted in a mutual acceptance that this is not the time for the 41-year-old to be taking over at Middlesbrough.

Carrick is keen to take his first steps into frontline management at some stage, having previously been caretaker boss of Manchester United for three matches, but it now appears certain that that first move will not be on Teesside.

Senior Boro officials have spoken to Rob Edwards, the former Forest Green Rovers boss who was dismissed from his position as Watford manager last month.

Edwards remains an option, although the fact Boro have continued their search despite having spoken to the 39-year-old suggests his appointment is hardly imminent.