Former Man Utd assistant manager Mike Phelan new favourite to become Middlesbrough boss

Mike Phelan’s odds of becoming the new Middlesbrough manager have tumbled, making him the new favourite for the job.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant has overtaken Tony Pulis as the frontrunner to land the Riverside Stadium hot-seat.

Phelan has been out-of-work since being told he would not be needed as part of David Moyes’ backroom staff at Manchester United following Ferguson’s retirement.

Very few bookmakers were even publicising odds for him becoming Tony Mowbray’s replacement. But a surge of money being placed on him being appointed would suggest he is now very much in Boro’s thoughts.

Former Boro star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has also reportedly spoken to chairman Steve Gibson about the vacancy.