Middlesbrough sacked manager Aitor Karanka after a dramatic slump in form was compounded by growing claims of dressing-room unrest.
Sportsmail revealed earlier this week that the Spanish coach had clashed with club stalwart Stewart Downing and it proved to be the final straw as chairman Steve Gibson brought an end to Karanka's three-and-a-half-year period at the Riverside.
Assistant manager Steve Agnew will lead the team at home to Manchester United on Sunday and club sources are not ruling out Agnew remaining in charge until the end of the season.
Nigel Pearson is the bookies' favourite to be the next permanent boss, although Sportsmail understands Boro have made a bold move to bring former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink to the Riverside.