Boro ignore protests to appoint Southgate
Middlesbrough will plunge themselves into controversy on Wednesday
when they unveil Gareth Southgate as their new manager.
The Teessiders have called a press conference at the Riverside
Stadium for 2pm 'regarding England-bound Steve McClaren's successor
as Middlesbrough manager' at which it is understood they will
confirm the 35-year-old's appointment even though he does not have
the necessary UEFA Pro Licence.
FA Premier League rules state that anyone without the Pro Licence
can only take charge of a club for 12 weeks, although the 20 club
chairmen who make up the leagues shareholders voted to waive them
last month to allow Glenn Roeder to be appointed at Newcastle
because of the unique and extenuating circumstances of his
case.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson has actively been canvassing his
counterparts in recent days despite stern resistance from the
League Managers' Association, who also vehemently opposed Roeder's
application for dispensation.
Gibson remains confident that a precedent has been set by that
case, and is determined to fight all the way to get the man he
wants, although the battle could be long and hard.
Gibson set out his arguments - which also include Southgate's
record of service, his inability to acquire all his coaching
qualifications because of his international career and the club's
willingness to allow McClaren to take up the England job despite
signing a long-term contract - this morning.
Tonight, chief executive Keith Lamb took up the baton, telling the
club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: 'Middlesbrough and Gareth
should not suffer because he has had such a successful career at
club and international level.
'Until recently Gareth has spent his summers serving his country as
a player. It makes little sense that 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.
'Why not allow players of such ilk the chance to gain their badges
while doing the job rather than making them wait?
'It is no coincidence that many of the current crop of good young
managers did not actually play at the highest level, so were able
to concentrate on gaining coaching qualifications while many top
stars were playing for their country.
'If that continues, the natural conclusion is that most top British
managers will have no experience of international football.'
Boro had not made a formal approach to the Premier League - who
rejected Newcastle's initial application but then referred it to
the chairmen - by this afternoon.
But whatever happens, the LMA are sure to have their say once
again.
Chief executive John Barnwell, who accused Newcastle of opening the
door to 'the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker' by
appointing Roeder, already having reiterated his stance.
He told the LMA's official website: 'I would reiterate that this is
not an LMA matter, it is a UEFA directive and an FA Premier League
rule.
'We believe that it is up to the FA and the Premier League to
maintain the agreed qualification standards.'
Newcastle pleaded for a relaxation of the rules on the grounds that
Roeder was already an experienced manager and engaged on the Pro
Licence course when he was struck down by a brain tumour in
2003.
Gibson turned to Southgate, who won 57 caps for England, after
talks with Terry Venables, Martin O'Neill and Alan Curbishley
failed to bear fruit.
He recently vowed to keep the likes of Southgate, Colin Cooper and
Ugo Ehiogu on board after their playing careers.
Southgate has made no secret of his desire to go into management
one day, although he had intended to see out the final year of his
current playing contract before changing focus.
Meanwhile, Boro's bid to sign German international defender Robert
Huth has been boosted by Newcastle's confirmation that their
interest in the 21-year-old Chelsea man is at an end.
The Magpies have watched Huth for some time, but will not be making
a bid, and with Boro having apparently priced Wigan and Aston Villa
out of the market with a lucrative contract, they hope to complete
soon.
The player's agent Manfred Schulte, when asked if it was still
their intention to secure his future before the start of the World
Cup finals, replied: 'This is our intention.'
However, Schulte was giving little else away.
'It's just speculation at this stage,' he said.
'We would like to confirm nothing. We are people who will talk when
we are ready and not before.'
