MIDDLESBROUGH have sacked manager Chris Wilder, just days after he was heavily linked to the vacant post at Cherries.

The former Sheffield United boss was backed in to 1/5 to become the Dorset club’s new boss midway through last week – before drifting in the betting market in the following days.

The Daily Echo understands the 55-year-old is not thought to be on a list of considered candidates for the role at Vitality Stadium.

And after describing the links to Cherries as "nonsense” on Friday, Wilder has now been relieved of his duties at the Riverside.

A statement from Boro read: “Middlesbrough Football Club have terminated the contract of manager Chris Wilder with immediate effect.

“Leo Percovich will take over first team affairs in the interim basis, assisted by Craig Liddle, Mark Tinkler and Lee Cattermole.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Chris and his staff for all their hard work over the past 11 months.”

Boro have won only two of their 11 Sky Bet Championship matches this season and sit in the bottom three after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Coventry.