Middlesbrough have reportedly made an 11th-hour bid to recruit Sir Alex Ferguson's number two Steve McClaren as their first-team coach.
West Ham are currently awaiting a decision from York-born McClaren over their vacant manager's job, but it is understood that Boro, who themselves are keeping their fingers crossed as Terry Venables weighs up his options, may have given him something else to think about.
It has been suggested that the offer to McClaren would stand regardless of whether or not Venables opts to stay on Teesside, and that it would not affect manager Bryan Robson's position either.
Boro have drawn a veil of secrecy over their work behind the scenes since Venables admitted on Saturday night that chairman Steve Gibson had put forward a proposal which he could not ignore despite being determined to call it a day at the Riverside Stadium.
The 58-year-old is contracted to ITV for their coverage of the Premiership next season.
West Ham meanwhile could offer McClaren the manager's job by the end of the week.
Updated: 12:58 Wednesday, May 23, 2001
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