With Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson finalising a four-man shortlist, the club should have a new manager by the time they entertain Bristol City next weekend. Assistant Editor Scott Wilson looks at four of the leading candidates and assesses what they might bring to the post.

TONY MOWBRAY

Age: 46

Place of birth: Saltburn

Playing career: Middlesbrough (1982-91), Celtic (1991-95), Ipswich (1995-2000). England B (3 caps).

Managerial career: Hibernian (2004-06), West Brom (2006-09), Celtic (2009-10).

POSITIVES: As one of the most popular captains in Middlesbrough’s history, the emotional pull of Mowbray returning to the club is obvious.

The rugged defender made almost 350 appearances for the Teessiders, helping them through the dark days of liquidation, securing promotion back to the top-flight and prompting Bruce Rioch to claim: “If I had to fly to the moon, I’d take Tony Mowbray with me,” a quote that launched a fanzine that still exists today.

He remains an extremely popular figure among the Middlesbrough supporters, and his appointment would inevitably lead to an immediate upsurge in attendances. Mowbray would also be assured of an easier ride in the early stages of his reign than any of his rivals.

Yet there are practical reasons for backing his candidature as well. Mowbray won the Championship title with West Brom in 2008, and for all that his side was relegated the following season, the style and standard of football it played was well-received.

NEGATIVES: What happened after Mowbray left the Hawthorns is a worry. He survived less than a season at Celtic, posting worse half-season statistics than John Barnes, who is widely acknowledged to have been one of the worst managers in the club’s history, and suffering a 4-0 defeat to St Mirren in his final match in charge.

Given that Gordon Strachan won a succession of trophies at Parkhead, Mowbray’s complete lack of success is alarming.

In his final transfer window as Celtic boss, Mowbray sold three of the players he could inherit at the Riverside – Barry Robson, Scott McDonald and Willo Flood – and his relationship with McDonald in particular is understood to have deteriorated significantly.

Under the terms of his departure, Mowbray is officially on ‘gardening leave’ until April, and unless he agrees to waive a substantial fee, his appointment on Teesside would be expensive. He is also likely to bring a number of backroom appointees with him, swelling the outlay over the course of his contract.

BBC Tees’ Gary Gill says: “Needs no introduction. A legend in the area, who is ideally suited to the position. He knows the club, the town and the players, and has good experience in the game. Tony Mowbray is also respected throughout the game as a topclass coach.”

NIGEL PEARSON

Age: 47

Place of birth: Nottingham

Playing career: Shrewsbury (1981-87), Sheff Wed (1987-94), Middlesbrough (1994-98).

Managerial career: Carlisle (1998-99), Southampton (2008), Leicester (2008-10), Hull (2010-)

POSITIVES: Like Mowbray and Ince, Pearson was a popular figure in his four years on Teesside, captaining Boro with distinction under Bryan Robson and featuring in two successful promotion campaigns and three cup finals.

Since hanging up his boots in 1998, he has forged a successful coaching and managerial career, incorporating a spell as assistant England Under-21 boss that saw him lead the representative side in the first game at the new Wembley.

He performed particularly impressively at Leicester City, guiding the Foxes to the League One title, then steering them into the play-offs in his first season in the Championship.

He is renowned as an astute manmanager and a proficient coach, skills that could be particularly valuable if, as expected, money on Teesside is tight.

NEGATIVES: Pearson is currently in employment at Hull City, and while there are suggestions he is unhappy with the troubled financial situation at the KC Stadium, he could prove difficult to prise away.

At the very least, his appointment would entail a significant cash outlay to the Tigers, who offered Pearson a three-year contract when he joined in June.

Having only just moved to Hull four months ago, there would also be inevitable questions asked about the loyalty of a manager who was willing to jump ship at so early an opportunity.

It could also be argued that Pearson lacks the star appeal of some of his rivals, and it is debatable how enthusiastically his appointment would be received.

BBC Tees’ Gary Gill says: “He captained the club with distinction under Bryan Robson and that has never been forgotten. He’s managed in the Championship and League One and done well. He made the play-offs last season with Leicester and, if the press are to be believed, is not very happy at his current Championship club.”

GARY MEGSON

Age: 51

Place of birth: Manchester

Playing career: Plymouth (1977-79), Everton (1979-81), Sheff Wed (1981-84), Newcastle (1984-85), Sheff Wed (1985-89), Man City (1989-92), Norwich (1992-95), Lincoln (1995), Shrewsbury (1995)

Managerial career: Norwich (1995-96), Blackpool (1996-97), Stockport (1997-99), Stoke (1999), West Brom (2000-04), Nottm Forest (2005-06), Leicester (2007), Bolton (2007-09).

POSITIVES: Megson is one of the most experienced candidates available to Middlesbrough, having worked extensively in both the Championship and Premier League.

He knows exactly what is needed to succeed in the Championship, having taken over a West Brom side faced with the possibility of relegation in 2000 and transformed them into champions in the space of two full seasons.

He won a second promotion before leaving the Hawthorns, and was widely praised for the quality of his signings during his time with the Baggies.

He is currently out of work, meaning his appointment would be reasonably cheap and simple to implement, and is understood to be keen on a return to football and receptive to the idea of moving to the North-East.

NEGATIVES: Megson is one of the few leading candidates without any historical or emotional ties to Teesside, meaning he would be a less popular appointment than many of his rivals.

His spell at Bolton Wanderers ended acrimoniously, with fans at the Reebok Stadium repeatedly criticising the style of football he was attempting to play.

Having grumbled at the lack of adventure and flair on display from Gordon Strachan’s side, it is unlikely the Riverside support would be too enamoured at the prospect of the equally pragmatic Megson replacing him.

If he was appointed Boro boss, the Teessiders would become his ninth different club in the space of 15 years, hardly a record that smacks of success and stability.

BBC Tees’ Gary Gill says: “Much-travelled as both a player and a manager. He has a wealth of experience at hand, particularly in the Championship, but also in the Premier League. That would be an obvious draw to anyone looking for a reasonably quick fix.”

PAUL INCE

Age: 43

Place of birth: Ilford, Essex

Playing career: West Ham (1984-89), Man Utd (1989-95), Inter Milan (1995-97), Liverpool (1997-99), Middlesbrough (1999-2002), Wolves (2002-06), Swindon (2006), Macclesfield (2007). England (53 caps).

Managerial career: Macclesfield (2006-07), MK Dons (2007-08), Blackburn (2008), MK Dons (2009-10).

POSITIVES: His ties with Middlesbrough might not be as strong as Mowbray’s, but Ince is fondly remembered for his three seasons at the club.

He too wore the captain’s armband with distinction, and his playing career, as a 53-time England international, scaled far greater heights than any of his rivals to be Gordon Strachan’s successor.

He has served a lengthy apprenticeship in the lower reaches of the Football League, achieving relative success at both Macclesfield and MK Dons despite stringent financial restrictions. An ability to work on a relative shoestring could come in useful if promotion is not achieved this season.

He is currently out of work, having stepped down from MK Dons at the end of last season, so would be a reasonably inexpensive option, and boasts a string of well-placed contacts within the game, something that could prove useful when it comes to recruiting the kind of loan signings that are often so important in the Championship.

NEGATIVES: Ince’s only spell with a relatively big club, Blackburn Rovers, was an unmitigated disaster, raising questions about his ability to work at a higher echelon than Leagues One or Two.

He was dismissed after just six months at Ewood Park, and won just six of his 21 matches as Rovers boss amid rumours that he was struggling to control the dressing room.

He can occasionally appear aloof and indifferent, raising the possibility of a relationship with the supporters every bit as fraught as the one endured by Gordon Strachan.

Ince has never managed in the Championship, and when he has had success, most notably at MK Dons, it has been accompanied by a level of investment superior to that available to most of the league. Whether he could develop and improve the players in the current squad without money to spend is open to debate.

BBC Tees’ Gary Gill says: “After a hugely successful playing career, he has gathered some useful managerial experience in the lower tiers with Macclesfield and MK Dons.

Highly competitive, motivated and demanding, Paul Ince is a born winner.”