BRYAN ROBSON is today the most reluctant football manager in the country.

Robson leads crisis club Middlesbrough into a crucial game at West Ham, knowing he is only keeping the hot-seat warm for his successor - whoever that may be.

England's one-time Captain Marvel is in a job he patently no longer wants.

Robson hoped that Terry Venables would relieve him of the task.

But the former England boss, barring a sharp about-turn, is destined to be the face of ITV's 'match of the day' rather than the face of Boro.

It is testimony to Robson's deep friendship with Boro chairman Steve Gibson, not to mention his enduring sense of loyalty, that he was prepared to swallow his pride and step down to a lesser role to make way for coaching mentor Venables, the man from whom he learned so much during Euro '96.

But, with his credibility undermined in the eyes of most fans by the whole, sorry, ill-starred saga, it seems that Boro can now only truly move forward once Robson has been replaced as manager.

Those who say Robbo should go altogether, however, have short memories.

Before his arrival six-and-a-half years ago, Boro were perennial also-rans.

But the inspirational Robson proved the catalyst for a new beginning - albeit that silverware has remained agonisingly out of Boro's reach.

And that's why, if he wants it, Robson is deserving of an executive role at the Riverside as an ambassador or influential director.

His days in the dug-out are numbered with Boro and the hunt for a successor must be resumed.

But with Venables out of the picture (except on ITV, of course) Boro are in turmoil and finding the right man is Gibson's biggest challenge yet.