Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Gibson backs Southgate

13 Nov 2007 - 11:54:55

Click To Enlarge

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has handed his backing to under-fire boss Gareth Southgate.

Boro have slumped to 17th in the Premier League table after failing to win any of their last eight matches in a run stretching back to early September.

Former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell has been linked with a move to the Riverside Stadium, but Gibson is prepared to stay faithful to Southgate.

He told the Evening Gazette: "We've not got the results we'd have wished for and already there's a noise about the continuation of the manager. It's nonsense.

"There's even been some trash about us having lined up a replacement. We know that's not true and Gareth knows that's not true.

"I've spoken to Jonathan Woodgate and one or two others to tell them it's rubbish and to let the other players know.

"We gave Gareth a five-year contract because he had to be given a chance to develop.

"Our income through the gate will be about £8million this season. So we have to find a way to stay financially secure while keeping our fans interested in what's becoming a very non-competitive league.

"We've beaten Chelsea twice in the last three seasons, but it's like a lightweight getting into the ring with a heavyweight and knocking him out."