Boro still wait on Southgate
10 Nov 2006 - 08:07:12
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate still faces an anxious wait to discover whether he can continue at the helm of the Riverside club.
The 12-week period the rookie boss was granted to work without having the required UEFA Pro Licence was set to expire on Saturday.
Now following a meeting earlier in the week, the Premier League has voted to amend its rules to allow managers who have started the course to take charge of top-flight clubs.
That however doesn't alter Southgate's situation as the former Boro stopper has not yet completed work on his A Licence, which he needs to begin the UEFA Pro Licence course.
In the short-term, Southgate has been granted an extra period of grace and Boro will continue talks with the Premier League and Football Association in a bid to resolve the matter.
"The board put forward an amendment to the Managers' Qualifications Rule meaning that it was no longer necessary to have completed the UEFA Pro Licence in order to be appointed as a Premier League manager," read a Premier League statement.
"The new rule stipulates that the UEFA Pro Licence qualification must have been started in order to be appointed as a full-time manager.
"This was agreed by the clubs and brings the Premier League into line with UEFA Licensing requirements."