Mike Phelan and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are reported to be candidates to succeed Tony Mowbray as manager of Middlesbrough.
The 49-year-old's three-year spell at the Riverside came to an end on Monday, with his last match being a 3-2 defeat to Barnsley at Oakwell.
According to the Daily Mail, former Manchester United assistant Phelan has already held talks with the Teeside club, as has former Boro player Hasselbaink, who is currently managing Belgian side Royal Antwerp.
However, the same paper also named Blackpool manager Paul Ince and former Stoke City boss Tony Pulis - also a reported target of Crystal Palace - as potential contenders for the vacant post.
Boro have won just two of their 12 Championship games this season, leaving them 16th in the table.