Boro's last ditch attempt to keep Tel

'To a man we want him to stay. I can't put into words how good he is. It's his coaching, the way he talks to players as individuals and gives advice, confidence and encouragement to youngsters and the older lads alike.

'Now we've got something to hang on to and the possibility that he'll be back next season. I just hope it resolves our way and Steve Gibson can persuade him to stay.'

If Gibson harboured any doubts about where the Boro fans' loyalties lie and their keenness to keep Venables, that uncertainty was unceremoniously removed in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's game against West Ham.

As Boro's players milked the generous applause from their supporters in the centre circle, the noise level at the Riverside Stadium lifted by another couple of notches as Venables walked on to the pitch to much acclaim.

But the atmosphere, which had been so merry, suddenly turned nasty as Bryan Robson entered the arena. The supporters were only prepared to hand out so many bouquets, it seemed, and the loud boos that marked Robson's appearance indicated he was the unwilling recipient of the brickbats. Gibson cannot see a Middlesbrough future without the former England captain and does not want to bring their seven-year alliance to an end.

He said: 'Bryan Robson is part of my plans for this club. We honour our contracts and Bryan has two more seasons after this one, as does Viv Anderson.

'The only way this club would break that would be by mutual agreement. Quite frankly, I don't see that happening.'

As for Venables, Boro's fans departed the Riverside uncertain about their head coach's future and Gibson's comments suggested even he is not completely sure of the state of play.

With the pressure of fighting to stay up lifted from their shoulders, Boro delivered one of their best displays of the season.

The impressive Joseph-Desire Job and Christian Karembeu scored the first-half goals that gave them only their fourth Premiership home win, with Bulgarian striker Svetoslav Todorov scoring for Hammers after good work by Joe Cole.

West Ham's managerial conundrum is just as confused as Middlesbrough's and Glenn Roeder - who took charge of the club on Saturday - insists he is no more aware of the situation than the public.

Roeder said: 'I haven't been officially told by the chairman or any of the directors who they're inter-viewing at the moment. I don't think they can give me any assurances about my future, but hope-fully I can stay at the club.

'Being a manager is like a packet of cigarettes. There's a health warning on the side, but people still smoke.'

One match in charge has given Roeder the appetite to carry on. Venables, too, is hooked, but now Middlesbrough face an anxious wait to find out if he once again decides to kick the habit.

Karembeu, who is wanted by Paris St Germain, has reiterated his commitment to the North Easterners.

The France midfielder said: 'Even though this season has been so strange, I still want to make a contribution to the history of this club.'