Rob Edwards in line to be next Middlesbrough manager after Chris Wilder sacking

Chris Wilder has been sacked by Middlesbrough with former Watford manager Rob Edwards in line to replace him.

Wilder’s 11-month reign ended on Monday morning after a 1-0 defeat at Coventry left Boro in the bottom three of the Championship.

The ex-Sheffield United manager has endured a difficult start to the campaign, with five defeats from their opening 11 matches, forcing club owner Steve Gibson into a reluctant change.

Edwards was dismissed by Watford last week and has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Wilder. He is expected to be interviewed later this week.

Wilder himself has been linked with the vacant Bournemouth job in recent weeks and their current caretaker manager Gary O’Neil is also said to be of interest to Boro. The club were targeting a promotion campaign but the Coventry result was their fourth away defeat of the season.

Pressure has been growing on Wilder for some time, with Boro getting just 21 points from their last 20 league games stretching back to last season as well as a first-round Carabao Cup exit to League One club Barnsley in August.

To increase Wilder’s frustration, the only goal of the game was scored on Saturday came from one of his big summer targets, Coventry forward Viktor Gyokeres.

A Middlesbrough statement read: "Middlesbrough Football Club have terminated the contract of manager Chris Wilder with immediate effect.

"Leo Percovich will take over first team affairs in the interim basis, assisted by Craig Liddle, Mark Tinkler and Lee Cattermole.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Chris and his staff for all their hard work over the past 11 months."

Wilder was appointed as manager in November last year after the departure of Neil Warnock.