Jonathan Woodgate favourite to be Middlesbrough manager as Tony Pulis departs

Middlesbrough have parted ways with manager Tony Pulis after his contract ended and Jonathan Woodgate is the odds-on favourite with bookmakers to be Boro's next boss.

First-team coach Woodgate, who was born in Nunthorpe and represented his local club as a player in two spells, is 10-11 with Hills and Sky Bet to get his first crack at senior management with the Teessiders.

Aitor Karanka led Boro to the Premier League in 2016 and is next in the market at 5-1, the same price as recently sacked ex-Brighton manager Chris Hughton.

Sol Campbell is a 12-1 shot after pulling off a great escape in keeping Macclesfield in the EFL this season.

Former Middlesbrough defender Michael Reiziger is an intriguing candidate and ranges from 5-1 to 14-1 following reports that chairman Steve Gibson was keen to look at the Dutch model of successfully nurturing youth products in a cost-effective manner.

Reiziger is currently in charge of Jong Ajax, the Ajax B team who play in Holland's second division.

Pulis led Boro to the Sky Bet Championship playoffs in his first campaign at the Riverside before falling short of the top six this term. The sponsors rate Middlesbrough 9-2 to go up next season.

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