Boro sack Southgate

[Laylabelle 9,305]

<br clear="all"> Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgatehas been sacked - despite the Championship club being fourth in thetable and bidding for promotion.

His dismissal came in the early hours of Wednesday, shortly after a 2-0 home win over Derby.

The 39-year-old was appointed in June 2006 but last season Boro were relegated from the Premier League.

Chairman Steve Gibson said: "This has been the most difficult decision I've ever had to make in football."

BBC Sport understands Gordon Strachan and Nigel Pearson are among the front-runners to take over at the Riverside.

Shortlybefore being fired, Southgate stated: "The margins are fine. We are apoint off the top but it would have been very different if we had notwon against Derby.

"You wonder about the consequences of defeat. You know four homedefeats on the bounce would have been difficult for everyone involvedwith the club to accept."

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 the summer of 2001.

He made more than 200 appearances for the club before he succeeded Steve McClaren as manager.

"Gareth has given Boro magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager," added Gibson.

"Iappointed Gareth in a situation that was greatly unfavourable to him.He is a good man and has all the qualities and integrity that we wantedin a manager.

"However, the time is right for change and that change has had to bemade. Gareth will always be welcome at our football club. Englishfootball needs people of his stature and we feel certain that thisexperience will serve him well.

"Gareth deserves another opportunity once he has had the chance to rest and refresh himself."

Priorto Tuesday's win, Boro had lost three successive home games but theirvictory over Derby left them only one point behind leaders West Brom.

[Alee. 182]

Fourth in the championship, great manager, why fire him ? I think this will be a grave mistake.

[Cameron 30]

Fourth in the championship, great manager, why fire him ? I think this will be a grave mistake.

I think you've just found your answer...

[Laylabelle 9,305]

Fourth in the championship, great manager, why fire him ? I think this will be a grave mistake.

And they're only 4th on goal diff

Them and Cardiff are on 23

Newcastle and West Brom have 24

[ZanSnake 1,211]

When Nottm Forest are near the play-offs, that tell's you how tought this year it is in the league. But why fire him so early? He was getting the team to progress to their goal, wasn't he?

Or was Gibson's idea of another relegation battle a more money making idea.

[Laylabelle 9,305]

Apprantly it has been coming for a while and already been decided before the Derby game or so he says

If was to come at any time thought been last season after going down bit bizare

[ZanSnake 1,211]

That sucks.:mellow:

[Alee. 182]

If they wanted to sack him cause of relegation, they should have done it then. Apparently they gave him a chance, and he was looking pretty decent, Why sack him then. Change of mind?

[Cameron 30]

When Nottm Forest are near the play-offs, that tell's you how tought this year it is in the league. But why fire him so early? He was getting the team to progress to their goal, wasn't he?

Or was Gibson's idea of another relegation battle a more money making idea.

I don't really see that. Forest have invested heavily in their team in the last two summers, so it isn't much of a surprise. Blackpool and Preston with much less financial backing are in play-off positions. Gibson is one of the most loyal guys in football and definitely would have sticked by his man if he thought he was going to bring them up then he's taken an important decision to sack him. Whether that'll be the right one or not we wait to see...