TERRY VENABLES last night opened the door for a comeback to front-line management by flashing this message to Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson: 'Make me an offer I can't refuse'.

Venables has not worked as a top-level coach since leaving Leeds three years ago and is said to be only lukewarm on the idea of succeeding Steve McClaren at the Riverside Stadium.

The former England coach is one of three men earmarked by Gibson - along with Martin O'Neill and Alan Curbishley - to fill the void left by McClaren, whose reign as Boro boss officially ended last night.

But Venables' business commitments to a leisure complex in Spain mean he is in no rush to return to the pressures of professional football, unless he finds an offer too tempting to resist.

"If something was interesting enough and came along and hit me in the face I'd think about it but I've gone off in other directions. I never like to close a door but I'm happy at the moment," said Venables.

Venables was offered the manager's job before McClaren was installed in the summer of 2001. The 63-year-old had just guided Middlesbrough up to 14th in the top-flight after Bryan Robson had called him for help in the December, with his side languishing in relegation trouble.

However, Venables declined the position then and has serious reservations about taking over now, with Gibson desperate to land his man before the start of the World Cup on June 9.

The former Barcelona and Tottenham boss's comments came on the same day Bolton's Sam Allardyce, ironically a rival to McClaren for the England post, became the latest name to be linked.

Despite the lack of progress on the managerial front, Gibson has sanctioned the graduation of seven young schoolboys onto Academy scholarship terms.

There could also be an eighth but no deal has been agreed with young winger Nathan Porritt, raising fears the youngster could be about to turn his back on the Teessiders.

Porritt, who has been monitored by numerous top Premiership clubs, is highly-regarded and has regularly represented England schoolboys.

The teenager's career is still very much in its infancy and there is a determination to keep the pressure off the player's shoulders.

But there is a buzz among the coaching staff at his hometown club that he is a very special talent.

Middlesbrough hope negotiations, which are said to be ongoing, will reach a favourable outcome and that he will commit his future to the club he has supported through childhood.

There is also said to be a similar hope that Porritt's team-mate Jonathan Franks, who has also represented his country at Under-16 level and has penned his two- year deal, is a star of the future.

The Stockton-born midfielder will be joined in the reputable Academy squad next season by Newton Aycliffe-based goalkeepers Matthew Atkinson and Jason Steele, who was also a team-mate of Franks in the England Under-16s.

Defenders Lewis Walker and Lewis McCardle, both from Middlesbrough, and Joe Bennett (Northallerton) and David Hillerby (Yarm) have also made the step up.

Their futures now rest on the shoulders of Academy director Dave Parnaby, who is the man responsible for helping to develop the likes of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing and Stuart Parnaby through the club's ranks