Boro closing in on Pulis

THE Championship fixture between Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday turned out to be the final act for both managers. Boro boss Garry Monk and Wednesday counterpart Carlos Carvalhal were dismissed after Boro had secured a 2- 1 win. Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson immediately moved for Tony Pulis, recently sacked by West Brom, and hopes to rubber-stamp the appointment within the next 72 hours. Carvalhal has led Wednesday to the play-offs for the last two years, but Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri bowed to fans’ demands after a seven-match winless run which has seen them drop to 15th.

Former Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is the bookies’ favourite to step in, with former Wednesday players Nigel Pearson and Gary Megson also contenders.

Monk was given his marching orders despite the win over Wednesday which leaves Boro ninth and three points outside the play-offs. He was the shortest serving full-time manager in Boro’s history, lasting just 26 games.