Garry Monk has been appointed as the new manager of Middlesbrough.
The former Leeds boss has beaten Nigel Pearson to the vacancy after both held formal interviews with Boro chairman Steve Gibson.
Monk also spoke to Sunderland, but has decided to take on the challenge at the Riverside and Sky Sports News HQ understands he has signed a three-year deal with the Sky Bet Championship club.
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The 38-year-old will become Aitor Karanka’s permanent replacement, after assistant Steve Agnew stepped in for the final 11 games of the season but was unable to stop Boro from suffering relegation from the Premier League.
Gibson has spoken of his desire to “smash the league” next season and “go up as champions” from the Championship.
He has also promised to spend heavily to make sure Boro are in a position to achieve that and that has been enough to convince Monk to take the job.
Monk narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs with Leeds and left Elland Road because he felt new owner Andrea Radrizzani did not have a desire to keep him long term.
