Gibson explains Southgate axe

Gibson: Difficult decision

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Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has revealed the decision to sack Gareth Southgate was taken before Tuesday's win over Derby.

Southgate's three-year spell in charge at the Riverside was brought to an end on Tuesday night just hours after the 2-0 win over the Rams, which left them just one point off league leaders West Brom.

The former Boro captain took charge of the club in 2006 and he could not prevent them from suffering relegation last season.

It is believed Gibson lost patience with Southgate because of their poor home form in the Championship and also the falling attendances at the Riverside this term.

Gibson admitted he made the difficult decision to part company because he feared the club would fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.

"When I sat down and considered our start to the season, I felt that the league table was actually more favourable than some of our performances," Gibson told the club's official website.

"Then I looked at the important games against the teams immediately around us, and took those results into account.

"In general the results and the performances have not been to the level I would have hoped for.

"Before last night, our five home games had brought in seven points. That will not get us promoted - and promotion is the only objective for the season."

Gibson added: "As difficult a decision as it was to make, the decision was made before last night's match.

"One good result wasn't going to change that decision."

Gibson revealed the club had a replacement in mind for Southgate before his sudden departure, with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan the bookmakers' favourite for the job.

"We already had a strategy for Gareth's replacement," noted Gibson.

"The timing of Gareth's sacking was determined a little by the implementation of that strategy."