Venables close to Boro decision

Terry Venables and Bryan Robson during Euro 96

Terry Venables has admitted he is on the brink of deciding whether to end his football exile and become Middlesbrough's new manager.

Venables has revealed he is "close" to ending a week of waiting for Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson and current boss Bryan Robson.

It is understood that a meeting between Venables and club officials has been scheduled at an undisclosed venue to come to a final decision.

"I have other contracts to sort out and I am sorting them out, and it should come to a close very quickly.

"I have contracts and things to sort out and that is what I am endeavouring to do."

Robson is still waiting

Venables is developing a major football complex in Spain and also has extensive media interests.

Boro need total commitment from a man they believe can resurrect the fortunes of a team that have taken just one point from the last 21, but his existing workload could prohibit that.

Boro are hoping their number one candidate - and perhaps the only man under whom Robson would work - will accept their offer.

However, if he says no it could plunge the Teessiders into further uncertainty. Robson is a proud man and although he appears to have played his part in tempting Venables to at least consider the position, a rejection would leave him in a difficult position.

Robson may not be prepared to work alongside anyone else but Gibson may not be prepared to allow things to continue unchanged.