Middlesbrough have axed manager Tony Mowbray in the aftermath of their 3-2 defeat at Barnsley on Saturday.
The 49 year old became a playing legend on Teeside when he netted 25 goals in 348 appearances at their old ground, Ayresome Park between 1982 and 1991 and he arrived as manager in October 2010 after the sacking of Gordon Strachan.
However the man who captained Ipswich to a Division One Play-Off Final success over Barnsley in 2000 has failed to mount a serious promotion challenge at the Riverside, finishing 12th in 2010-2011 and 16th in 2012-2013.
Mowbray nearly guided Boro into the play-offs in 2011-2012 when they finished seventh, five points off the top six.
This season they have failed to spark again, winning just two of their opening 12 games.