Given how much Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has supported the likes of Bryan Robson and Gareth Southgate during poor times, I was pretty shocked to see Southgate sacked when only 1 point of the top of the league.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ugh/8317621.stm

Given how much Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has supported the likes of Bryan Robson and Gareth Southgate during poor times, I was pretty shocked to see Southgate sacked when only 1 point of the top of the league.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ugh/8317621.stm

This one really surprised me too - Gibson is renowned for sticking by his managers. Wonder if there's something more to it?

It seemed that falling attendances was one of the main reasons for his departure, crowds had fallen by 6,000 since the start of the season and Gibson wants someone in to bring the crowds back.

Story is that the sacking decision was made prior to last night's result - I also think they have Gordon Strachan waiting to walk straight into the job, all prearranged.

Well I am sure GS will bring back the crowds with his wit and repartee at interview time.

Maybe Gibson just thinks Southgate has taken them as far as he can and its time for a fresh face. I mean....it has been on the cards for a loooooooooooooooong time now.

The thing that baffles me on this one is why let Southgate take charge of the team last night when the decision was made BEFORE the match to axe him because if the manager knew it was going to be his last game in charge what does he say in the dressing room before the game and at half and full time that can motivate the team.

Hey, to all the Butcher slammers, do you think they will take Butch to Riverside or will Ipswich because i very much doubt it.

The chairman did not say that the manager was aware of the decision having been taken so the manager would have reacted as always in the dressing room, not realising it was his last game.

Quite alot of people are saying strachan will go for the job.

Edited October 21, 200916 yr by WYNESS101

Bit off topic, but I hear Hope Powell (a woman and head of the England Women's Team) is being linked with the Grimsby job!

Could be a good move, given that Grimsby have been Hopeless for a long time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...own/8266648.stm

I reckon strachan will go for the job.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ugh/8319489.stm

"Championship side Middlesbrough are set to appoint former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan as their new manager two days after Gareth Southgate was sacked"

It seemed that falling attendances was one of the main reasons for his departure, crowds had fallen by 6,000 since the start of the season and Gibson wants someone in to bring the crowds back.

suppose that would happen to most teams going down a division.

He had to go tbh. The fans just couldnt put up with him anymore.