Fergie backs Southgate

01 May 2009 17:06
Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Gareth Southgate should not be fearing the sack at Middlesbrough. The Red Devils play the Teessiders this weekend and will be looking to put another nail in their coffin as they bid to escape from the relegation zone. Middlesbrough currently sit in 19th place, three points behind the closest safe team, Hull City. But with games running out, survival is becoming ever more unlikely. But Ferguson believes that even if Boro are relegated Southgate will keep his job. "Steve Gibson has the courage to stick with a younger manager and he won't change," said Sir Alex. "There is no doubt about his future. The unfortunate thing in this industry is when a team has three or four bad results, the jungle drums start beating. "But I think Gareth has a chairman who will give him longer than most." Ferguson believes that his counterpart is doing everything right as he tries to remove the deadwood from the club. "It's hard for Gareth," he added. "He is a young man who has progressed and is trying to change the club of his by bringing in young players. "That is admirable and very ambitious of him. I am sure his chairman will recognise that." Elsewhere, Manchester United are set to play in Indonesia for the first time since 1975 as part of their summer tour of Asia. The Red Devils will play an Indonesian Super League XI in Jakarta on 20th July.

Source: SKY_Sports