Source: Northern_Echo
Southgate: Others could have swung for Lamb
GARETH SOUTHGATE was just about to ask chairman Steve Gibson to deliver a new striker when he was stunned by the news that he had been sacked as Middlesbrough manager.
And Southgate has revealed the anger he felt when he found out from chief executive Keith Lamb the following day that Gordon Strachan had been lined up to replace him a couple of weeks earlier.
The events of last Tuesday, having led his players to a 2-0 win over Derby County before being sacked in the boardroom as midnight approached, will live with Southgate forever.
The whole thing was surreal, said Southgate. "It was normal for me to go to see the chairman [Steve Gibson] in the boardroom after a home game. It was usually a happy experience if wed won.
I didnt have the slightest inkling I was in trouble. Wed won the game, Id spoken to the media and had a celebration drink with my staff. After a difficult few weeks, there was a positive mood around the place. As I walked up to see Steve, I thought about asking him about signing a striker on loan.
Southgate soon realised things were not.
After the handshake, Steve always asks me what I want to drink. But this time there was no offer, said Southgate. He said there was something he needed to talk about. Even then, I didnt get it. He seemed serious but I thought it might be about someone else, not me.
Then he told me straight that hed been monitoring the teams results over the season and that poor results meant I was losing my job."
Having returned to his family home in North Yorkshire, he spent the early hours of Wednesday morning writing down a list of the things he had to return to the club later that day.
When he paid his last visit to the club's training headquarters at Rockliffe Park, his temper was tested when he arrived at the clubs Rockliffe Park training ground to return his things.
Keith Lamb (chief executive) was quite open in telling me he had interviewed Gordon Strachan in London for my job more than two weeks earlier, on the night before we beat Reading (on October 3), Southgate told the Mail on Sunday.
Apparently, I was going to get the sack then but wed played so well that Steve decided he couldnt do it. I found it bizarre that Keith should tell me all that. I didnt know whether I should applaud him for being so honest or get angry for taking the mickey.
I was very close to Steve and Keith but on that occasion Keith was lucky that Im calmer than some managers. They might have taken a swing at him.
Having worked hard to follow Gibsons orders in his three-and-a-half-years in charge, Southgate actually felt he was finally growing into the role as manager. Now, though, his next step will be somewhere else.
It ended up in relegation last season and that hurt me badly, and I accept my responsibility for that, he said. But I am proud of what Ive done since to put things right. This season it felt like my team on the pitch for the first time and the spirit was excellent. I was confident I could take Middlesbrough back into the Premier League.
This wont scar me. I dont even feel like I need a rest from football. Ive always been able to handle pressure, its not a problem for me. And if a good opportunity comes along on Monday morning, Ill be ready for it. Im more motivated than ever. And I guess I will be like any out-of-work manager now, waiting for some other poor soul to lose their job and seeing if I get the call.
* For more of Southgate's reaction to his sacking read Monday's The Northern Echo.
