Middlesbrough Rivals Prepare to Sack Manager
Hull City is reportedly planning to sack manager Ruben Selles after just six months in charge. Selles, who took over in December when the team was at the bottom of the league following Tim Walter's short tenure, managed to secure nine wins out of 26 games and helped Hull escape Championship relegation on the final day with a draw against Portsmouth. However, owner Acun Ilicali is now looking to replace him, making this the fifth permanent manager search. Ilicali had previously sacked Liam Rosenior despite the team narrowly missing the Championship play-offs.
It remains unclear who will be considered for the job at the MKM Stadium, though some candidates from the previous selection process in December, when Selles was hired, may be in contention again.
Hull will join Norwich, West Brom, and Southampton in the search for a new manager. Norwich saw Jack Wilshere manage the final two games of the season after Johannes Hoff Thorup's dismissal, but he is not expected to be considered for the full-time role. Pep Lijnders, Jurgen Klopp's former assistant at Liverpool, is reportedly set to be interviewed, with Gary O'Neil and Steve Cooper also mentioned as potential candidates.
West Brom is seeking a permanent replacement for Tony Mowbray, who was surprisingly sacked near the end of the season. Ryan Mason is currently the bookmakers' favorite, followed by James Morrison, who served as interim manager after Mowbray's departure, Russell Martin, and Portsmouth boss John Mousinho. However, Mousinho has denied any involvement, stating that there were no talks between him and West Brom.
Danny Rohl, the Sheffield Wednesday boss, is the current favorite to take over at Southampton, following the sacking of Ivan Juric after their relegation was confirmed. Simon Rusk and Adam Lallana have been in interim charge but are not expected to be considered for the permanent position. Leicester City may also be searching for a new manager this summer, with Ruud van Nistelrooy's future uncertain.
Watford recently appointed Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach, succeeding Tom Cleverley, who was sacked after the team's disappointing 14th-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship. Pezzolano, who began his managerial career at Torque City in Uruguay and has managed in Mexico, Brazil, and Spain, becomes Watford’s 18th permanent boss since December 2013. Watford's sporting director, Gian Luca Nani, highlighted Pezzolano's track record with young players and his awareness of the club's ambitions for promotion.