Venables pulls out of Boro manager search

Middlesbrough will continue their search for a new manager after it was reported last night that Terry Venables has turned down the opportunity to succeed Steve McClaren at the Riverside.

The former manager McClaren is thought to be keen to use the 63-year-old as a senior advisor when he becomes England head coach after the World Cup, and it is known Boro have kept their options open by talking with more than one prospective manager. It is understood that Venables has now ruled himself out of contention.

With Venables apparently no longer interested, the former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill might well replace him as Boro's top target.

The Tottenham target, Swedish international Kim Kallstrom will today end speculation that he is moving to the Premiership by agreeing a deal to join French champions Lyon.