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Middlesbrough sack boss Southgate
Southgate has been in charge for three years
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been sacked - with the club fourth in the table and bidding for promotion. His dismissal came in the early hours of Wednesday, just after Boro had secured a 2-0 home win over Derby.
The 39-year-old Southgate was appointed Boro boss in June 2006, but last season he presided over the club's relegation from the Premier League.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson said: "This has been the most difficult decision I've ever had to make in football."
Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Smith, described by Boro as a "football consultant", has also left the club.
Southgate, who won 57 caps for England, joined Boro as a player from Aston Villa in a £6.5m deal in summer 2001, and made more than 200 appearances for the club, before he succeeded Steve McClaren as the club's manager.
"Gareth has given Boro magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager," added Gibson.
"However the time is right for change and that change has had to be made."
Prior to Tuesday's win, Boro had lost three successive home games, but their victory over Derby left them just one point behind leaders West Brom.
Southgate has been in charge for three yearsMiddlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been sacked - with the club fourth in the table and bidding for promotion. His dismissal came in the early hours of Wednesday, just after Boro had secured a 2-0 home win over Derby.
The 39-year-old Southgate was appointed Boro boss in June 2006, but last season he presided over the club's relegation from the Premier League.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson said: "This has been the most difficult decision I've ever had to make in football."
Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Smith, described by Boro as a "football consultant", has also left the club.
Southgate, who won 57 caps for England, joined Boro as a player from Aston Villa in a £6.5m deal in summer 2001, and made more than 200 appearances for the club, before he succeeded Steve McClaren as the club's manager.
"Gareth has given Boro magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager," added Gibson.
"However the time is right for change and that change has had to be made."
Prior to Tuesday's win, Boro had lost three successive home games, but their victory over Derby left them just one point behind leaders West Brom.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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