At 63, Venables may have one last big job left in him. He has also been touted as a potential mentor for McClaren when he takes over as England head coach after the World Cup finals — a role he could yet combine, on a part-time basis, with duties at the Riverside, where he is thought likely to sign a two-year contract.

Steve Gibson, the Middlesbrough chairman, expects McClaren’s successor not only to lift the team back into the upper reaches of the Barclays Premiership but also to work closely with the likes of Gareth Southgate and Colin Cooper, senior players whom he regards as potential coaches.

Having also spoken to Martin O’Neill and Alan Curbishley, Gibson is believed to have had further talks with Venables last weekend in which an agreement in principle was reached.

Middlesbrough’s neighbours, Newcastle United, filled their managerial vacancy yesterday, with Glenn Roeder, 50, having agreed a two-year deal after being in caretaker charge since February. Alan Shearer will assume an ambassadorial role that will mean he remains actively involved in the recruitment of players, as he did last season by helping to persuade Michael Owen to sign.

Shearer’s presence has unsettled previous managers, but Roeder has worked closely with him over the past three months and has raised the prospect of him eventually managing his home-town club.

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