Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson to back Gareth Southgate even if they go down

24 March 2009 19:49
The club owner backed Southgate, who has been the subject of criticism from Boro fans, and has privately indicated is set to give him the chance to mastermind a promotion campaign should Championship football return to the Riverside next season. [LNB]"I've spoken with a lot of fans over the last few weeks and they ask me about Gareth," Gibson said on Tuesday. "But the magic wand in our situation isn't sacking Gareth. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League actionLatest standings and statisticsSouthgate admits Boro's patience may wear thinSacking Gareth Southgate not magic wand says Middlesbroughs Steve GibsonMansfield outgunned by Middlesbrough qualityCraig Bellamy adds pressure to Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate"I understand the frustration of the fans. But if I was to sack Gareth Southgate at this stage, how would it help the situation? The one thing I know is that Gareth Southgate is hurting as well." [LNB]Gibson, whose club are second-bottom of the Premier League, gave Bryan Robson the opportunity to revive the club's fortunes following relegation 12 years ago. [LNB]He was rewarded with an instant return to top-flight football and is prepared to adopt a similar strategy with Southgate, who took the reins in 2006 after Steve McClaren left the Riverside to take over the England job. [LNB]"Gareth has great experience of football at every level. He is working to the best of his ability to turn things around," Gibson added. "When he was a player, he worked immensely hard to make himself a better player. He does exactly the same as a manager. [LNB]"I couldn't expect any more from him in terms of blood, sweat and tears. We can't put what happens on the pitch fully on Gareth's shoulders and that's why we have to share the workload and the responsibility. [LNB]"When things go wrong, people lose faith in the manager. But there is a lot more involved and we must always continue to look at the wider picture before coming to decisions." [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph