Middlesbrough ask Venables to replace McClaren

Middlesbrough have approached Terry Venables about becoming their manager to replace the England coach in-waiting Steve McClaren who is to take over the national team from Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

Venables, a former England manager himself, has already worked at the club, alongside Bryan Robson in 2001, when he was a success. Venables, 63, has also been asked by McClaren to take on an advisory role with the national team, a role that the Boro chairman, Steve Gibson, would allow Venables to fulfil should he take over at the Riverside.

Gibson has also spoken to Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill but an agreement with Venables has been agreed in principle and the appointment could be announced as early as this weekend.