Middlesbrough are considering former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and ex-Leicester manager Nigel Pearson to replace Aitor Karanka at the Riverside, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.
Former Real Madrid assistant manager Karanka was sacked earlier on Thursday after three and a half years at the club.
Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their last 10 Premier League games, which has seen them drop into the relegation zone three points adrift of safety.
Middlesbrough's board have now decided to look for a new man to lead them to survival in the final games of the Premier League season.