Portuguese coach Jorge Simao has been interviewed for the manager’s job at Middlesbrough. The 42-year-old has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Tony Pulis who left at the end of the season after failing to gain promotion from the Championship after finishing seventh, one point outside the play-offs.

Simao is highly-rated and was most recently coach of Portuguese side Boavista, who he left earlier this year, and had previously been at Braga and Chaves. He would prove to be a bold and imaginative appointment.

Simao started his career in the Portuguese league with Belenenses, qualifying them for the Europa League, before taking over at FC Pacos de Ferreira where he helped develop Diogo Jota, now at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and where the club gained its highest ever points total in the league.

Simao wants to work in England and is keen to take a job in the Championship but it is unclear whether Middlesbrough will turn to him with an appointment expected within days.