‘Make me Middlesbrough boss,’ says Riverside legend Ravanelli

Middlesbrough cult hero Fabrizio Ravanelli is longing for a return to the Riverside – as the club’s new manager.

The former Italy striker, who endeared himself to the Boro faithful during a successful spell on Teeside between July 1996 and September 1997, during which he scored 32 goals in 50 games and helped them to the League Cup and FA Cup finals.

Chairman Steve Gibson is reportedly looking to bring in a new manager following Boro’s relegation to the Championship and Ravanelli, who spent five months in charge of French outfit Ajaccio in 2013, has firmly thrown his hat into the ring.

“I was very disappointed to see Middlesbrough relegated; for the club, for the fans, for everybody,” said the 48-year-old, who scored to help Juventus win the Champions League the season before his move to England.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill /Allsport)

“But now it is important to start again. The club must show a lot of ambition because Middlesbrough has the potential to finish in the top 10 of the Premier League.

“I would love the opportunity to arrive for me to get the manager’s job at Middlesbrough. If Steve Gibson called me – no problem. That would be good.

“The Championship is a good league with a lot of quality teams.”

Ravanelli added: “Middlesbrough is in my heart every day. It was a great experience in England, especially as I was one of the first Italians to play in the Premier League.

“I love the Middlesbrough fans. They are fantastic, and I hope, one day, it is special for me there again.”