Source: Telegraph
Gareth Southgate sacking by Middlesbrough stuns Gary O'Neil
The former Portsmouth player spoke out for Southgate following his dismissal by chairman Steve Gibson on Tuesday night shortly after the 2-0 defeat of Derby County at the Riverside.
"It was a big surprise after a good performance and result," O'Neil said.
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Championship table
"We're all disappointed. If you spoke to each and every one of the lads individually, none of them would have a single bad word to say about Gareth, everybody thought he was top man.
"He gave everything he could to the cause and he has massive respect from me. I'm thankful for everything he helped me with and for showing faith in me and bringing me up here.
"But as we've heard the decision was made a little time ago when we were struggling for form a little bit, especially at home."
O'Neil was keen to point out that Southgate has had to cope despite the loss of several front-line players who have been sold since the club was relegated.
"From the outside people sometimes judge everything on results and it is a results-based business," O'Neil added.
"But we see the hours and time and effort he put in to try to get it right here. A lot of players have left the club and it's a very difficult league.
"If people thought we were going to run away with it they are kidding themselves, it's going to be a long, tough season."
Now O'Neil is focusing on Saturday's visit to Preston North End which is expected to be followed by the announcement of Strachan's arrival on Monday.
He continued: "Hopefully we can push on now. We've got a massive game on Saturday, so it's just important that we give a good show of ourselves and get three points."
"I don't find it difficult at all, I've probably had 10 or 12 different managers in my career and it's the nature of the business," he said.
"As harsh as it is, that's the way it is. "I'm personally disappointed that it won't be with Gareth in charge because I know how much it meant to him to get the club back up after being relegated with him in charge.
"But the end goal is still to get to the Premier League. Three points on Saturday and we could be top of the league, so it's a big game for us."
