Boro appoint Southgate

Middlesbrough have named Gareth Southgate as their new manager.

The 35-year-old skipper has been given the task of replacing Steve McClaren at the helm, as he will succeed Sven Goran Eriksson as England boss after the World Cup in Germany.

Former Crystal Palace and Aston Villa stopper Southgate became a front-runner for the job at The Riverside after Terry Venables turned down the chance to return to Teesside.

Southgate, who won 57 caps for England, was the first Boro skipper to lift a trophy in their history when winning the Carling Cup, while he led them to the Uefa Cup final last term, where they were beaten 4-0 by Sevilla.

Southgate has now been handed a five-year contract as manager and, although he will retain his playing registration, he has all but called time on his professional playing career.

The move by chairman Steve Gibson is sure to infuriate the League Managers' Association who insist Southgate cannot take up the role due to his lack of coaching badges.

The Premier League did make an exception for Glenn Roeder to take the Newcastle job as he would have qualified for his Uefa Pro Licence had he not suffered a brain tumour whilst starting to take the course at West Ham.

"Until recently Gareth has spent his summers serving his country as a player," said Boro chief executive Keith Lamb.

"It makes little sense such players should be denied rare opportunities like the one he now has simply because he hasn't had the chance to gain the qualifications."

The Premier League said that they would discuss the matter with both Boro and the LMA, but confirmed that the club could name Southgate as their new manager for the time being.

"In appointing Gareth Southgate Middlesbrough were fully aware that as our rules stand it is a necessity to have the Uefa Pro License or equivalent to manage in the Premier League," read a Premier League statement.

"As Middlesbrough have stated, they are seeking discussions with the Premier League, FA and LMA to discuss this situation. We will, of course, take a full part in those discussions during the close season.

"In the interim, Middlesbrough have been able to appoint Gareth Southgate as their manager, as rule Q4 concerns team selection during the course of the Premier League season."