Next Middlesbrough Manager Odds: Steve Cooper emerges as new favourite for Boro
Will Jackson 
Former Leicester and Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper is now top of next Middlesbrough manager odds in the race to replace Michael Carrick.
Online betting sites did have Danny Rohl as the early favourite for the role but he has since been overtaken by Cooper - who has promotion with Forest on his CV - after Carrick was dismissed on June 4.
Free Bets have had a look at the rest of the candidates for the Middlesbrough job.
Next Middlesbrough Manager Odds
| Manager | Odds |
| Steve Cooper | 11/8 |
| Rob Edwards | 3/1 |
| Danny Rohl | 6/1 |
| Brian Priske | 6/1 |
| Sean Dyche | 8/1 |
Steve Cooper
Steve Cooper would be a very sensible appointment for Boro, and it is no surprise to see him move to the top of the betting markets.
It feels as though Cooper has been waiting for the right opportunity to return to management after a short-lived spell at Leicester last season, and it would be no surprise to see him return to the Championship with a promotion-chasing club.
Carrick failed after delivering an entertaining and attractive style of play but failing to get results, so the more pragmatic approach of Cooper may appease frustrated Boro fans and be a more realistic way to chase promotion in the short term.
After the Leicester job, it looks as though Cooper will have to settle for a high-end Championship role and with the backing that Boro can provide, it should be an attractive proposition for anyone and a good project for Cooper to undertake - not too dissimilar to the job he did at Nottingham Forest when he got them promoted.
Rob Edwards
Even though he played a major part in the successive relegations for Luton, Rob Edwards' stock is still high and he finds himself linked to a number of Championship roles this summer.
Of course, there is very little blame attached to Edwards for the Premier League relegation but the manner in which they plummeted in the Championship last season leaves a bit of a question mark over his name.
He does however still have credit in the bank for taking Luton up in the first place and the job he did before at Forest Green, so he would still be considered a good, young coach at this level and a job at a stable club like Boro should be very appealing to Edwards.
Whether or not he is the man they need after Carrick when they need results and a promotion push right away, remains to be seen. He would likely be more of the same, whereas someone like a Sean Dyche or a Steve Cooper would bring a bit more pragmatism.
Danny Rohl
Danny Rohl is one of the most exciting young coaches in English football, having turned Sheffield Wednesday’s fortunes around with an energetic, tactically fluid style.
His experience as an assistant to Hansi Flick and Ralph Hasenhüttl gave him a strong grounding in high-pressing, fast-tempo football and he has quickly earned a good reputation in League One and now the Championship with Wednesday, where they have punched above their weight despite chaotic ongoings off the pitch.
Rohl’s teams are aggressive out of possession but disciplined in structure—fitting traits for a Middlesbrough side seeking to return to the top six. His ability to work with young players and implement complex ideas quickly makes him a strong long-term option.
He has been very strongly linked with a number of good Championship roles so far this summer and it remains a surprise that he hasn't already moved on, and a parting of the ways seems only inevitable at this stage so a relatively short move further north makes perfect sense, with both club and manager retaining Premier League ambitions.
Brian Priske
Brian Priske would be a smart and ambitious appointment for Middlesbrough.
The Danish coach has quietly built a strong reputation across Europe, particularly for his success with Sparta Prague, where he led the club to a long-awaited Czech title while implementing a dynamic, well-drilled system.
Priske’s teams are tactically sound, high-energy, and structured - traits that would resonate well in the Championship's physically demanding environment. His previous work at FC Midtjylland also showcased his ability to develop young players, manage a modest budget, and integrate data-led strategies, all aligning with Boro’s vision and replacing Arne Slot at Feyenoord indicates his calibre.
He’s shown flexibility between various formations and isn’t afraid to trust youth or take calculated risks.
Priske would bring a continental tactical edge, a proven record of winning in challenging conditions, and the leadership qualities needed for a promotion push. If Boro want to maintain structure with ambition, he’s an ideal fit.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche would be a safe, experienced pair of hands for Middlesbrough if they want a promotion-hardened leader.
With years of Premier League and Championship experience - most notably his success at Burnley - Dyche is known for building resilient, physically dominant teams that are hard to beat.
His no-nonsense style may not mirror Michael Carrick’s more fluid, technical approach, but it could be exactly what Boro need if they feel they’ve underachieved over the past couple of years.
Dyche brings structure, standards, and clarity—qualities that could transform Boro into a relentless, top-six outfit. However, fans and players accustomed to a more possession-based game might take time to adjust to Dyche’s directness.
Whether Dyche would be open to a return to the Championship also depends on his Premier League market. Still, if Boro want a manager with a proven promotion formula, Dyche is a ready-made solution - albeit one that would likely bring a stylistic reset.
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