Four Championship manager vacancies could yet become seven in the first week after the end of the season as Michael Carrick and Ruben Selles wait to find out their fates, as well as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marti Cifuentes.

Watford’s dismissal of Tom Cleverley came in the wake of Norwich City firing Johannes Hoff Thorup and West Brom letting go of Tony Mowbray in the aftermath of their defeat to Derby County. Southampton, on their way straight back down from the Premier League, got rid of Ivan Juric last month too.

But the axes are still sharp up and down the country, and there is plenty of speculation about Leicester City moving on from Ruud van Nistelrooy when they return to the Championship – which could inadvertently spark another vacancy because they are being linked with a move for Bristol City’s Liam Manning, who has a play-off semi-final first leg tonight against Sheffield United.

“(I am) still hoping to find out (about his job),” Van Nistelrooy said before the Southampton game. “The quicker the better, in the best interest of the club. We’re all hoping to find out soon. There’s 70 people working at the training ground who want to evaluate the season (and start) looking forward to the next.”

Speculation runs rife however and several managers have already been linked with succeeding the 48-year-old, Manning being just the latest.

Middlesbrough plan to conduct a thorough review of the season before making any decisions on their future direction of travel, including Carrick’s future, claim Teesside Live.

They report: “A Boro source has told Teesside Live that the club don’t want to be rushed into a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ and want to thoroughly review the season, where it went wrong, and what can be done to improve next season. Carrick has expressed his desire to carry on as Boro boss, but owner Steve Gibson and the Boro hierarchy will be having meetings in the coming weeks and want to ensure that come the end of it, everyone is comfortable moving forward.

“Gibson backed Carrick in February as the head coach came under pressure, and he ended up turning Boro’s form around enough to take the play-off battle to the final day. However, with defeat at Coventry City, Boro ultimately missed out on the play-offs.

They report: “A Boro source has told Teesside Live that the club don’t want to be rushed into a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ and want to thoroughly review the season, where it went wrong, and what can be done to improve next season. Carrick has expressed his desire to carry on as Boro boss, but owner Steve Gibson and the Boro hierarchy will be having meetings in the coming weeks and want to ensure that come the end of it, everyone is comfortable moving forward.

“Gibson backed Carrick in February as the head coach came under pressure, and he ended up turning Boro’s form around enough to take the play-off battle to the final day. However, with defeat at Coventry City, Boro ultimately missed out on the play-offs.

“Every reason given at the time as to why the club were backing Carrick still stands. Gibson is a big believer in Carrick, and admires his integrity and the way he conducts himself. At the heart of any decisions made this summer will be making sure that the head coach receives the respect from the club that Gibson believes he deserves.”

Selles kept Hull up but there is also a review going on behind the scenes there.

Hull Live report: “Owner Acun Ilicali is understood to be conducting a thorough review of the club’s performance this season, which saw City survive by only goal difference, having finished level on 49 points with Luton Town.

“That review is thought to include the job Selles has done since taking over in what were difficult circumstances at the MKM Stadium, and whether he will be the one charged with spearheading a play-off surge next term. At this stage, though, the Spaniard remains in charge of the Tigers.

“Ilicali, who has appointed four permanent managers since taking ownership of the Tigers in January 2022, brought Selles to the club in December with City rock bottom of the Championship and on a six-game losing run after a disastrous start to the campaign under Tim Walter.

“While a change could yet be made by Ilicali, it’s understood he’s working closely with sporting director Jared Dublin and newly-appointed head of recruitment Martin Hodge to decide the best course of action moving forward. That course of action will be one that gives City the best chance of challenging for the play-offs next term.”

Cifuentes was put on gardening leave at Queens Park Rangers amid speculation about the Norwich and West Brom jobs. He only signed a new contract earlier this season but The Sun claims there had been breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry.

He was ruled out of a move to the Hawthorns at the weekend but his odds have since crashed to take over.

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