Venables to nurture next generation of coaches

A MOVE to appoint Terry Venables as Middlesbrough’s new manager would help to fulfil chairman Steve Gibson’s dream of a production line for coaches.

Gibson has seen the club’s academy blossom under Steve McClaren to produce a succession of players who have stepped up to senior level.

But he wants to ensure the experience of men who have served the Teessiders well as players is not lost by helping them make the progression through to the coaching ranks.

The chairman has made a point of making public his desire to involve current captain Gareth Southgate and fellow defenders Colin Cooper and Ugo Ehiogu in the club’s future, and the prospect of Venables nursing them through is an attractive one.

Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb will step up their search for McClaren’s replacement when they return to the country from the Far East at the weekend, with Venables having emerged as a hot favourite in recent days.

It is understood Boro have spoken to the former England boss as well as Martin O’Neill and Alan Curbishley, although Lamb has insisted suggestions the new man could be in place within days are incorrect.

“We will be beginning the search for a new manager at the weekend, not unveiling one,” Lamb told BBC Sport. “We are ruling nothing in and nothing out at the moment.

“It’s completely unrealistic to think we will have anyone in place by the weekend.

“Steve and I only arrive home on Friday and as you would expect, we will be heavily involved in the recruitment of a new manager.

“Steve McClaren only left us on Monday. We want to get someone in place sooner rather than later because there’s a lot of work to be done in pre-season. But nothing’s been decided yet.”

However, Lamb’s comments will do little to ease the speculation over Venables, who pulled off a desperate rescue job to save Boro from relegation at the end of the 2000-01 season.

Boro have been looking for a new manager for some time — McClaren’s own position was under threat in February, and the Teessiders were well aware of England’s interest before the FA finally made their decision.

Venables turned down the job in 2001, ostensibly because of his business commitments, but also partly out of loyalty to Bryan Robson, who had drafted him in as a troubleshooter.

Gibson has admitted an internal appointment is unlikely, but is keen to blood some of the potential coaches within the ranks, and in that respect, Venables could be an ideal appointment.

“We can’t afford to lose people like Gareth Southgate, Colin Cooper and Ugo Ehiogu from this football club,” he said.

“We have this fantastic academy for young players here but where’s the academy for coaches and managers? That’s something we want to look at.

“Gareth is someone we will not allow to leave this club if it’s at all possible. He’s part of our future.”

Southgate was hugely flattered by Gibson’s comments, and although he insists his only focus is the final year of his current playing contract, he is open to offers.

“I’m contracted here for another year as a player, so that’s what I’m looking to do,” he said.