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Ex-Middlesbrough manager Steve Agnew is poised to join Steve Bruce's coaching staff at Aston Villa, according to The Times .

The Gazette understands the 52-year-old has been on gardening leave since Boro's relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season, after taking charge of the club's final 11 top-flight games.

Agnew was given the Riverside reins following the departure of Aitor Karanka in March and was backed by chairman Steve Gibson to keep Boro up, but it didn't work out with the Spaniard's former assistant winning just once during the run-in.

The experienced coach has disappeared from the Boro picture since, however, with the club remaining tight-lipped over his whereabouts.

After appointing Garry Monk in June, Boro did not employ a No 2 - and that remains a vacancy in the North-east as Agnew's situation has dragged on and on.

But Agnew's disappointing spell in the wilderness looks set to come to an end, with reports today suggesting he is ready to join Championship rivals Aston Villa, where he will be reunited with close friend Steve Bruce.

(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Bruce enjoyed a successful two-and-a-half year spell at Hull City with Agnew as his No 2, during which the pair masterminded the Tiger's promotion to the top-flight and reached an FA Cup final.

After Boro's draw with Villa back in September, Bruce - now at Villa Park - was asked about Agnew's apparent disappearance, and admitted he'd like to see his close friend back in the game sooner rather than later.

"Yes I was very disappointed for Steve," Bruce said following Boro's 0-0 draw at Villa Park. "He's a good man.

"But football is football, you know. Is he keeping alright? Where is he?"

Bruce added he is not sure what the exact situation with Agnew at the Riverside was, but said: "He's a good football man.

"Steve is a good person - and he'll be back."

If the final details can be formalised and the move is confirmed, Agnew will return to the Riverside on December 30 when Villa face Boro in the Championship.