EFL Championship betting tips: Rob Edwards and Steve Cooper favourites for Middlesbrough job after Michael Carrick sacking
Rumours have swirled around the Middlesbrough hotseat following Steve Gibson’s decision to part ways with Michael Carrick last week.
The 43-year-old took over at the Riverside in October 2022, spending just under three years in the North East.
However, one win from their last six games meant Boro missed out on a spot in the play-offs and resigned the club to another campaign in the Championship.
Middlesbrough have been linked with some big names, so Transfer News Blitz’s Edward Moss has looked at who has the best odds to take the reins ahead of next season.
Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards led Luton Town to the Premier League.
Rob Edwards has been out of a job since January after being sacked by freshly-relegated Luton Town.
The Welshman enjoyed an overall good stint in Bedfordshire, leading the Hatters to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
Seemingly linked with every Championship job that comes up, the 42-year-old has a decent track record in the second tier.
With one promotion under his belt, Edwards would be a solid appointment for Boro.
BEST ODDS: 2/1 (BetVictor)
Steve Cooper
Similarly to Edwards, Steve Cooper has been without a job since Leicester City pulled the plug on his reign at the King Power Stadium after just 15 matches.
In the Championship, the 45-year-old has a superb resume.
The Welshman led Swansea City to the play-offs twice before eventually gaining promotion to the promised land with Nottingham Forest in 2022.
Boro supporters should maybe worry if they find themselves in the Premier League with Cooper at the helm, who has only won 14 of his 67 games in the top flight.
In all seriousness, Cooper would be a superb addition for Middlesbrough and could put them in contention for promotion next season.
BEST ODDS: 4/1 (BetVictor)
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Sean Dyche
Could lump it to the back stick, leave one in, 4-4-2 football be on the way to the Riverside?
Known for doing it the right way, Dyche has gained promotion from the Championship twice and is an established Premier League manager.
While not known for glamorous football, the no-nonsense manager, who has spent time at Watford, Burnley and Everton, would be a significant coup for Middlesbrough.
It is not known whether the Englishman would be willing to drop down to the Championship, so it could be a risky punt.
BEST ODDS: 6/1 (BetVictor / Sky Bet)
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Steven Gerrard
Another name that comes up with almost every vacancy, Steven Gerrard, has been linked to the Boro.
The Liverpool legend has spent time in charge of Rangers, Aston Villa and most recently, Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Personally, I can’t see the 45-year-old Scouser at Middlesbrough, but stranger things have happened.
BEST ODDS: 17/2 (Sky Bet)
Gary O’Neil
Gary O’Neil played for Middlesbrough as a player.
Something just feels right about the rumours linking Gary O’Neil to the Middlesbrough job.
Of course, the former midfielder made 120 appearances for the Boro over a three-and-a-half-year stint as a player.
It certainly feels as though the 42-year-old has not really been given a fair crack of the whip in management so far.
Harshly dismissed by AFC Bournemouth and not backed at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Englishman has had a tough start to his managerial career.
Still young and proven in the Premier League, O’Neil could be in the Riverside dugout for years to come if appointed.
With excellent odds too, O’Neil would be well worth a punt.
BEST ODDS: 12/2 (Sky Bet / Bet365)
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