Buzzin Championship Football

Gareth Southgate was sacked by Middlesbrough this morning despite leading the club to their 2-0 home win over Derby County last night.

Middlesbrough are currently fourth in the Championship table and are generally considered to be among the favourites for promotion or a play off place, come the end of the season.

It does seem a rather bizarre decision given Middlesbrough’s position in the division, just one point behind the leaders West Bromwich Albion and most surprising following the home win against Derby.

Southgate may have had some idea of what was about to unfold when he said after last night’s game;

“The margins are fine. We are a point off the top but it would have been very different if we had not won against Derby. You wonder about the consequences of defeat. You know four home defeats on the bounce would have been difficult for everyone involved with the club to accept.”

In what he describes as ‘the most difficult decision’ he has had to make in football, chairman Steve Gibson said;

“Gareth has given Boro magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager. I appointed Gareth in a situation that was greatly unfavourable to him. He is a good man and has all the qualities and integrity that we wanted in a manager.

However, the time is right for change and that change has had to be made. Gareth will always be welcome at our football club. English football needs people of his stature and we feel certain that this experience will serve him well. Gareth deserves another opportunity once he has had the chance to rest and refresh himself.”

A great timefor Gareth Southgate to book a winter ski holiday!

Who would you like to see replace Gareth Southgate at Middlesbrough?