Hiddink and Pearson on list of candidates after Karanka's torrid Boro reign is ended

The Boro hierarchy are drawing up a shortlist of candidates following yesterday’s end to head coach Karanka’s increasingly tempestuous three-and-a-half-year reign and will intensify the process after Sunday’s Premier League home game with Manchester United.

Karanka’s assistant Steve Agnew has been placed in temporary charge for the televised encounter, with the subsequent fortnight-long international hiatus affording Boro chiefs plenty of time to bring in a long-term appointment ahead of the club’s return to top-flight action at relegation rivals Swansea City on April 2.

Managerial veteran Hiddink, 70, is reportedly interested in taking over with the Dutchman keen on one more frontline role before retiring.

A short-term role for the rest of the season is likely to appeal to the ex-Real Madrid and Holland manager, who enjoyed successful interim spells in England with Chelsea in 2009 and 2016.

Boro special adviser Peter Kenyon – who played a leading role in the appointment of Karanka in November 2013 – was Blues’ chief executive during Hiddink’s first spell at Stamford Bridge and is understood to have spoken with him about the position.

Ex-Hull City and Leicester boss Pearson, out of work since leaving Derby County in the autumn, is another strong contender and is a figure widely respected by many Boro supporters after leading the club to promotion to the Premier League twice as a player – in 1994-95 and 1997-98.

The 53-year-old was reportedly sounded out by Boro chiefs this time last year when Karanka’s future was in doubt after a much-published walkout following a training-ground dispute with players.

Pearson is almost certain to come into the reckoning again and is believed to have expressed an interest in returning to his former club.

Other names in the fray include ex-Boro chief Steve McClaren, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson and Claudio Ranieri.

Karanka’s tenureended yesterday morning, the final act in a strained last 12 months on Teesside for the Spaniard.

His stint at Boro had looked to be over last March after he stormed out of a team meeting following a dispute with senior players – he was placed on gardening leave for a Championship game at Charlton.

After a series of meetings, Boro announced that Karanka was staying put, but despite the 43-year-old helping the club end their top-flight exile last May, tensions have resurfaced this season with the Riverside head coach cutting an increasingly isolated figure of late.

Fractious relationships with several players – including most notably Stewart Downing – have continued while Karanka’s venting of frustration towards the club’s hierarchy after failing to land several high-profile transfer window targets added to a growing sense of anxiety.

Criticism levelled at supporters following the home game with West Ham in January also diminished Karanka’s backing among the club’s fanbase, compounded by a wretched 10-match winless Premier League streak that sees Boro currently in the relegation zone – with the lowest goals total in the division.

A Boro statement read: “Both parties have agreed that it is in the best interests of the club to make this change.

“The club would like to thank Aitor for all his hard work over the past three and a half years and for the success we’ve had during that time.

“We wish him all the best for the future.”