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Gordon Strachan sacked by Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have parted company with under-fire manager Gordon Strachan.
Strachan’s 12-month spell at the Riverside came to an abrupt end after the wretched run of just one point form their last four games which left Middlesbrough languishing in 20th place in the table.
The Scot was due to hold a news conference today ahead of Tuesday’s game at Nottingham Forest, but was reported to have pulled out of the meeting due to illness.
However, instead he held crisis talks with club chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb, and within hours Boro issued a statement confirming Strachan had left the club.
Former Celtic boss Tony Mowbray, who played for Boro 348 times, was immediately installed as favourite to take over at the Riverside.
Gordon Strachan took over at Boro just a year ago following the dismissal of Gareth Southgate
Strachan took over at Boro on October 26 last year following the dismissal of Gareth Southgate. But he has been heavily criticised by supporters for signing too many Scottish players, the majority of them from Celtic where he was manager from 2005 to 2009.
Boro began the campaign among the favourites to gain promotion to the Premier League, but have picked up just 11 points from as many games to stand just outside the relegation zone. Strachan’s record at the Riverside was far from impressive prompting his departure. He was in charge for 46 games, winning just 13, losing 20 and drawing 13.
Ironically, the final nail for him was the home defeat on Saturday by Leeds, where he played for the majority of his career.
Strachan later joined Coventry as a player before becoming their boss in 1996.
He was sacked in October 2001, but within weeks was appointed the new manager of Southampton. His spell at St Mary’s lasted until February 2004 when he left, having earlier announced that he planned to quit at the end of that season.
Following a 14-month break from the game he took charge of Celtic and stayed there for four years. He then took another break, this time of only five months before taking charge at Boro.
Next Middlesborough Manager - Odds
Evens T Mowbray
8/1 A. Pardew
5/1 P. Brown
6/1 A. Curbishley
12/1 S. Agnew
14/1 G. Hoddle
14/1 P. Ince
14/1 L. Clark
16/1 P. Sousa
16/1 G. Southgate
16/1 P. Jewell
20/1 C. Coleman
20/1 J. Magilton
20/1 E. Howe
25/1 K. Blackwell
33/1 T. Venanles
50/1 Juninho