We Are Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough fan Matty Proudman says that Boro appointing Kim Hellberg as their new head coach would be "a brave, bold move" but one he is excited for.

"As football fans, we always look at what they've done previously and make your own judgements on it, so that's why it's a clever move from Steve Gibson. It's only positive from the previous, he hasn't got any negative," Proudman told BBC Radio Tees.

"With where we are as a club, second in the league, challenging for the Premier League, he's [Gibson] been really clever and astute with what he's done.

"He's [Hellberg] only 37 but he's been in football a long time. He must be the most Googled man on Teeside, there's no doubt about it."

As for what playing style Hellberg could bring to the side upon his arrival, Proudman is unsure - but it's that which has him hoping for a good outcome.

"A foreign coach - something different, different styles, different methods. A lot of these coaches, they all want to play the same type of stuff. The 'Pepball', play out from the back and absolutely kill it," Proudman added.

"You don't know what you are going to get with him. It's a total unknown and I love the fact you don't know what he's going to do."

Listen to the full reaction and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

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Adi Viveash says he has been "humbled" by the support he has received inside and outside the club during his spell as Middlesbrough's interim head coach.

Viveash took over team affairs when Rob Edwards was granted permission to speak to Wolverhampton Wanderers before accepting their offer to become manager.

Viveash led Boro to victory over Birmingham City at home with loud backing from the club's supporters and he will be in charge again for the trip to Oxford United on Saturday.

The Teesside club are set to appoint Swede Kim Hellberg as Edwards' replacement pending work permit clearance, but they have an experienced hand to guide them in the meantime in Viveash.

"I'm very appreciative of the support. It's very humbling," he told BBC Radio Tees.

Viveash was assistant to Mark Robins at Coventry City for seven years and before that he worked at Chelsea's academy, but it is the first time the 56-year-old has been in charge of a senior team.

And having had a season out between Coventry and his arrival at Boro in the summer with Edwards, he is appreciating the chance at the Riverside.

"I'm just somebody who's had an ability to help players and I love coaching," he said.

"I love working with players on the grass. I had 11 months out of the game so I've certainly cherished every moment of this last week because it's been really interesting and I've really enjoyed it.

"When you're out of the game, those are the times you miss - on the training ground with the players, trying to get that extra 1% out of them.

"So it's humbling, I'm working at a fantastic club for an outstanding chairman."

"It's the type of appointment Boro haven't really made before. They've had an overseas manager, they've had unproven coaches stepping up to be a head coach, but what they haven't really done before is taken a manager who is young, ambitious, making a name for himself overseas and brought him over to be a head coach in the Championship.

"While this feels like a step into the unknown, and it is to a degree, it's also a path other clubs have trod really successfully. The hope among fans is he'll come in and build on the good work Rob Edwards has done at the start of the season.

"He's coming into a club which has started really well, with a good squad in place, can he now get them to kick-on and make sure they challenge for promotion?"

BBC Radio Tees' Rob Law talks to Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo about Boro's potential new head coach Kim Hellberg.

Click here to listen to the interview and more Boro content via BBC Sounds.

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Middlesbrough defender Alfie Jones made his senior debut for Canada in a 2-0 friendly win over Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale.

The 28-year-old Bristol-born centre-back, who qualifies for Canada through his grandmother who was born in Alberta, played the full 90 minutes.

Canada have qualified automatically for next year's World Cup finals as joint hosts alongside the USA and Mexico.

Jones will return to Championship action with Middlesbrough at Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) having been suspended for their 2-1 win over Birmingham City just before the international break.

Image source, Rex Features

Fit-again Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree believes this is the biggest season of his career.

A hamstring injury sustained in pre-season meant the 27-year-old missed the opening nine games of the Championship season, having made just 39 league appearances across the previous two seasons after a series of injuries.

McGree, who arrived from MLS side Charlotte in January 2022, made only his second start in 11 months against former club Birmingham on 8 November, playing just over an hour in the 2-1 win, while he came off the bench for Australia in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Venezuela three days later.

In an interview with the Socceroos website, external, McGree said: "Before this season I told myself, that this is probably the biggest season in my career to date. Every season is, but this one, especially.

"I'm with a really ambitious club in a good position and with potential to be in the Premier League at the end of the season. And then hopefully I can go to a World Cup."

McGree knows his performances will be scrutinised, but believes 'pressure is a privilege'.

"And I'm getting a little bit older now. I'm 27, so I'm a bit more experienced, and there's a bit of an expectation, potentially, from the players around me, the coaching staff and the fans for me to do well," he added.

"I relish that expectation and the pressure that comes with it, because it is a privilege. So this year is important and I hope to take full advantage of the opportunities that I get."

Should Middlesbrough interim boss Adi Viveash get the permanent job at the Riverside?

There are some among the Boro faithful who would love to see the caretaker manager step into the limelight - but would he take up the mantle?

"It depends on if he wants the job," Boro fan Chris Saunders told BBC Radio Tees.

"I get the impression that he is quite comfortable being a coach and I don't think he likes being centre of attention. I don't think he likes doing all the media stuff, whereas [Rob] Edwards loved it - if the bloke was chocolate he'd eat himself.

"When the coaching team was announced, it was debatable whether [Michael] Carrick to Edwards was an upgrade, but there was no debate that Adi Viveash coming in was a massive upgrade to our coaching staff.

"I wouldn't object at all to Adi Viveash being the interim manager or given the gig if he wants it, the only problem is I don't get the impression he wants it."

Stockport County's Dave Challinor has also been linked with the job.

The Hatters are currently top of League One and reached the play-offs last season under Challinor's reign.

"That is someone who I think is better than the managers already mentioned," Saunders added.

"Maybe I'm in the minority but I'd certainly take a Dave Challinor over a Steven Gerrard any day."

Listen to the full discussion and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

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Middlesbrough forward Sontje Hansen scored his first international goal for Curacao to set up a deciding game against Jamaica to qualify for next year's World Cup.

The 23-year-old scored the fourth goal in a 7-0 thrashing of Bermuda in Hamilton to move the Caribbean island nation back to the top of their CONCACAF qualifying group.

They went above Jamaica who, managed by former Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, were held to a 1-1 draw by Trinidad & Tobago.

Curacao will now travel to Kingston next Wednesday needing just one point to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, while the side finishing in second place will go through to a Fifa play-off tournament.

Image source, Shutterstock

We asked you who you'd like to see next as Boro boss and there were many names being thrown in the hat.

But one thing is for sure, there's a lot of love for interim boss Adi Viveash at the Riverside.

Here is what you had to say about the 56-year-old:

Neil: This is a strong, well-balanced squad with an experienced coach who has the respect of the players - keep Adi Viveash in the role if he wants it.

Colin: Viveash was obviously the reins behind Mark Robins. He should be given a chance, if he wants it. Otherwise the club must prevail upon him to stay at the Riverside as number two to whoever they choose and insist that the new head coach accepts that. The man is a diamond!

Graham: I'd love to see us go for someone like Steven Gerrard or Ralph Hassenhutl, but whoever we get it needs to be someone who wants to be here and is likely to stay.

When we had Michael Carrick, his name was mentioned every time a Premier League club sacked a manager, but at least he stayed.

Also, whoever it is, we need to keep Adi Viveash at the Boro. The man is a class act.

Colin: I don't think we should rush it. Adi Viveash is a really safe pair of hands and might be good at it. There are not many out of work candidates at the moment but the managerial roundabout usually gets going towards Christmas and some suitable candidates might unexpectedly become available.

Peter: Keep Adi Viveash in charge, with someone over him to do the PR, press and has a love for Boro. So Bryan Robson or Tony Mowbray, and let Viveash choose the rest of the coaching team around. And leave like that for the rest of the season. This gives Boro months to see how the season goes and to do some proper succession planning. UTB.

Graham: Aaron Danks and Viveash two brilliant football minds coming together. Steve Gibson may tempt him back with an offer of managers job, a step up from his coaching role at Bayern Munich. Big ask but if you don't try you will never know.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Rob Edwards has described the decision to leave Middlesbrough as "one of the toughest decisions" in his life in a statement released on his instagram account.

Edwards told supporters he "wouldn't have considered leaving for any other club" aside from Wolves, where he began his coaching career and made 111 appearances as a player.

"Middlesbrough is a incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters," Edwards wrote.

"I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad, it is a great group of players who I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success.

"I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly - the players, the staff and the fans, who drive it all."

Edwards, who completed the move to Molineux on Wednesday, was only appointed Middlesbrough manager in June but leaves the club second in the Championship table.

His post on social media concluded, "I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the best for the rest of the season and beyond."

Image source, Shutterstock

We asked you who you'd like to see take the reigns at Middlesbrough now Rob Edwards has departed.

Here are some of your picks:

Andy: We need someone who has experience and can maintain the good start to the season. I would be happy with a Gary O'Neil or Brendan Rodgers.

John: The manager market looks rather depleted. I think Gerrard is a very Middlesbrough coded appointment. English, out of work, big name. That is my bet.

David: Historically we have done well with younger up-and-coming managers (Robson, McLaren, Southgate, Karanka) so I would like to see Gerrard appointed and given full backing. Would also like to see a shake-up in the recruitment team - we need to do better with the players we bring in. UTB.

Robbo: Tony Mowbray for me. Legend. Loves the club. Last time he had less managerial experience and had to clear up Strachan's mess. He'd take this squad up. UTB.

Andy: We shouldn't just go safe for our next appointment. We need to consider the team and tactics we've been working with to minimise disruption. The shortlisted bookies' favourites have the wrong managers listed, go left field to Ralph Hassenhuttl - collaborative manager, front foot and high press. Available also.

Paul: I think Steven Gerrard would be a good choice. It would help establish those connections with Liverpool, which in years gone by Boro have had.

Rob: I think it's time to bring back the positivity from 20 years ago. I'd forget the usual suspects and look at one of the icons from that era. Juninho Paulista? Massimo Maccarone? Mark Viduka?

Karen: It would be nice to have someone who is as passionate about the club as Leo, Howson and Juninho. We need someone who actually wants to be there. We should have went for Danny Rohl. I was never a fan of Edwards, I knew he wasn't right for the club.

Dan: It won't be O'Neil because he's disliked by the fans and the club know that. It won't be Gerard because he was overlooked for whatever reason during the summer. It won't be Tony Mowbray because of health issues. It won't be a manager who already has a club because that's not how Middlesbrough operate. It will end up being someone unexpected, possibly new to management and a free agent. Don't bet on any of the names you've heard so far.

Gary: Lee Carsley would be a good fit for Middlesbrough because his track record with England's U21s shows he can nurture young talent, instil discipline and build winning teams.

Carsley guided England's U21s to the 2023 European Championship title, proving he can deliver success under pressure and foster a strong team spirit.

Middlesbrough has a proud tradition of developing academy players and his emphasis on youth development aligns perfectly with the club's philosophy. His calm, modern coaching style and tactical flexibility would bring fresh ideas to the Riverside, while his hunger to prove himself in senior club management could energise both the squad and supporters.

Listen to the full reaction of Edwards' departure and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

With Rob Edwards leaving the Riverside to fill the empty chair at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough are looking for a new boss to maintain their promotion challenge.

Who have you got your eyes on, Boro fans?

Do you want to keep with the status quo that's got you into second or are you looking for something different?

Can you afford your new boss to have any early wobbles?

Let us know your thoughts here and check back to see some of your responses.

Rob Law
BBC Tees commentator

Image source, Shutterstock

During his four months at Middlesbrough, Rob Edwards constantly stressed the importance of unity and togetherness.

Little did he know, but Boro was built on exactly those characteristics, often in the face of great adversity.

On Saturday, Middlesbrough was a town galvanised not because of one man - but in spite of him.

The news of Edwards' desire to leave the club currently second in the Championship, for a Wolverhampton Wanderers side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, threatened to derail not just Boro's weekend but their season as a whole.

'Next manager is in for a treat'

There were many question marks over the match with Birmingham City. Would the atmosphere be affected? How would players react? Who would be in the dugout? We got our answers tenfold.

The atmosphere? Electric! Every single supporter doing their best to lift those on the pitch. Many saying it was the best atmosphere of the season.

However you view it, it left no doubt in the players' minds that the town stood with them, even if their head coach did not.

The players? Well they fought for everything. Many of them putting their bodies on the line, epitomised by Matt Targett and captain Dael Fry. Both started the game, despite carrying knocks and needing injections before a ball was even kicked.

That leaves the man in the dugout, Adi Viveash. Someone not accustomed to the spotlight.

He'd never led a team until Saturday – something he described as a proud moment for him and his family.

I had the chance to interview him after the game and it was one of the most impressive displays I've witnessed in 10 years on the sports desk here.

He dealt with it all while speaking of resilience and determination, leaving very little doubt over his views on recent events.

Saturday epitomised everything that people love about this town and this club; honesty, unity and determination, no matter what is thrown at them.

Whoever takes over the reins is in for a treat.