MIDDLESBROUGH are preparing for the increasing possibility that No 1 target for the vacant manager's post, Terry Venables, will not be taking charge at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro hoped to have been in a position by the end of today where they would know who would be at the helm of managerial affairs throughout the summer and beyond.

But, having had to wait while Venables delays his decision, the chances of the former England manager succeeding Steve McClaren are receding, albeit slowly.

Venables is on television duty all this week as he prepares a celebrity and ex-professionals England team to face a Rest of the World XI at Old Trafford this Saturday to raise millions for charity.

And he is also having to consider whether or not to press ahead and take the reins at Middlesbrough or wait to see whether or not the Football Association, as expected, offer him a role alongside McClaren when he becomes England boss.

The quandary for Venables is unlikely to be which one to take, he will be allowed to juggle both, but what role he wants at the age of 63.

McClaren, whose idea it is to have the more experienced coach alongside him, has been given the green light by the FA to draft him in after this summer's World Cup.

But, with priorities at Soho Square centering on the Germany finals for the time being, the delay is having a detrimental affect on Boro's hopes of making a quick appointment.

Should Venables decide he does not want to accept the reported £1.75m-a-year role on Teesside then chairman Steve Gibson will be left having to look elsewhere - suggesting it could be the end of next week or beyond that the position is filled.

Martin O'Neill and Alan Curbishley have both had talks but Gibson decided Venables was the way to turn, a move which would ensure the backroom staff would all remain the same.

And, having put all their eggs into the one basket, the Boro top brass could have to look to the likes of Iain Dowie, Tony Mowbray or Paul Jewell.

Dowie is now listed as second favourite for the post after leaving Crystal Palace and revealing a wish to return closer to his home near Bolton.

And, while Boro would certainly offer that, he would like to secure a position at one of the North-West's clubs. Preston, with Billy Davies a leading contender for the Charlton job, and Wigan, with Jewell understood to be eyeing a move to a bigger club, would offer that.

But, with Gibson on business in the Far East and chief executive Keith Lamb dealing with contract negotiations at home, an imminent decision isn't close.

If Venables was to be handed the reins then Boto goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer insists he would have no problems with working alongside him again.

During Venables' time in charge of Australia some eight years ago, Schwarzer once opted to play for club ahead of country.

But the No 1 insists that decision did not have a negative affect on the pair's relationship when Venables arrived to save the club from relegation in 2001.

"At that time he forced me to decide between travelling to Australia to sit on the bench for a game, and playing a cup semi-final with Middlesbrough. I chose Middlesbrough," said Schwarzer, currently with his country preparing for the World Cup.

"I wasn't long in England at the time and felt that the need to establish myself at my club took precedence.

"It would be good to get Terry Venables, but it depends on the club."

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