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Middlesbrough sack their manager with immediate effect

Middlesbrough sack their manager with immediate effect following a 1-1 draw against West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Boro currently sit 15th in the Championship table, picking up 22 points from 17 games played for the 2021/22 season after finishing 10th last term.

The Baggies kept their unbeaten league home record intact but were denied three points by stubborn Middlesbrough – with early reports stating the North East outfit are now looking at replacing Warnock with Chris Wilder hence why the club have acted quick with other offers said to have come in for services.

Josh Coburn put Boro ahead before the break, one of few highlights in a tame first 45 minutes, thumping in after Duncan Watmore and Isaiah Jones combined to square the ball into his path.

West Brom responded in the second period, although they had to wait until after the hour for the equaliser.

Grady Diangana saw his effort go in off the post when the ball broke from Kyle Bartley’s header, after former Boro winger Adam Reach put in a teasing free-kick.

Valerien Ismael’s side went for the win as their home support rallied, however found ex-Baggies keeper Luke Daniels in inspired form, while Sam Johnstone foiled Andraz Sporar at the other end in injury time to deny Boro victory.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Middlesbrough FC have parted company with manager Neil Warnock by mutual consent.

The decision was reached after talks between the two parties and Neil leaves the club with the best wishes of all.

Neil joined the club in June 2020 when he initially came in for our final eight games and secured our Sky Bet Championship status on the final day of the season.

He also managed the club during the unprecedented and challenging season of 2020/21 when games were played behind closed doors.

Neil broke the record in English football earlier this week when he clocked up 1,602 games as an English manager, an amazing achievement that is unlikely to be beaten.

Neil’s assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will also depart the club.

The club would like to place on record its thanks to Neil and his staff for all their hard work during their time with us.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

When Neil Warnock agreed to come and help Middlesbrough out in July 2020, Steve Gibson was the major factor.

Friends going years back, Warnock had always wanted to work for the Boro chairman. And therefore, when Gibson called asking for a favour as Boro flirted dangerously with relegation to League One, he reversed his retirement plans once again and drove immediately to Teesside.

Since then, Warnock has made no secret of the fact he was there for the Boro owner. He was desperate to bring success to Gibson’s club.

His second full season in charge didn’t go to plan though and when asked about his relationship with Gibson, Warnock said they speak every week and says he is understanding of the situation.

Warnock said in recent weeks: “We always talk a couple of times a week.

“After every game we have a ten-minute chat the next day. It’s good.

“He’s quite knowledgeable about football. He’s not one of these where as you’re talking to them you think, ‘what the hell do you know?’

“I’ve had a few chairmen like them over my career.

“But Steve is very knowledgeable. He does see the other side of the coin about some of these lads.

“It’s always interesting talking to Steve. And I think he knows I couldn’t do much more than what I am doing at the moment with what’s at the club.

“We’ve just got to persevere and come out of the other side of this, hopefully at the other end of the break, and get these players back.

“That’s why it’s important to try and get something on Saturday.”

A difficult test awaited him on Saturday with West Brom yet to lose on home turf.

Most expected Boro to lose and that would send them into another international break on the back of three straight defeats.

It’s backs against the wall for Boro once again, but that does tend to be when Warnock thrives.

“I like games like this. I’d rather go there than go to a team that’s never won a game,” he admits.

“They’re a top side, I always get a good reception from the West Brom fans, and they’ll know I’ll be there trying to spoil the party if I can.

“We’ve got good players and we’re taking a really good following again, aren’t we? So I don’t see any reason why we can’t give them a good game.

“I do enjoy it when we haven’t got a chance, according to the bookies and journalists and things like that.

“I think they’re the games that you really revel in and your players have to stand up and be counted in.

“I’m looking forward to it in that respect.”

Fans reacted as Middlesbrough sack their manager with immediate effect…

@davinamarieb: A yellow card on his last game, so poetic

@_TY_97: SIUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, FINALLY WE ARE FREE

@jimhew: Saved the club from relegation. Will be fondly remembered

@bren22: Came in and did the job he was meant to do, kept us up, gave us a year of stability, now time to kick on. Best of luck Neil

@Butler88James: All the best Neil if that’s you finished as a manager then enjoy your retirement it’s well deserved you have being a fantastic servant to the game of football. Thanks for your time as Middlesbrough manager coming in at a difficult time and keeping the club in the Championship.

@Boaly66Rob: Thanks for the effort Neil. Think we’re a better club and squad for your involvement. We are a much more attractive opportunity for quality coach than when you arrived.

@MrLBright: Hopefully Warnock can enjoy many years in retirement in Cornwall. He saved Boro from League One and fans should be always thankful for that.

@redarmy32: We owe a great deal to Neil warnock for saving us from league 1 but this is the correct desicion we are not moving in the right direction under him anymore

@danaaron_86: That was quick, all the best though Neil 🙌🏻

@richie_hough: Thanks Neil. No matter what, you have it your all and did the best you could under the circumstances. Managed to bring in a lot of additions on only a small budget and help further some of our talented young players. Good luck and hopefully this is not the end #UTB

@SmoggieJay: Gutted tbh, loved his character and honesty after matches. Results haven’t been what they could have been but Still thought we’d let him stay until the end of the season.

@nickimpactus: Kept us up from certain relegation but this season we have been treading water and like he did at Cardiff, he leaves with dignity to allow someone else the chance with a decent squad and plenty of games left. 4 points off playoffs despite 15th. Thanks Neil and happy retirement.

@Darrendye6: Thank you for everything neil probably the only manager that could of kept us up when he came in! Now time for another manager to come in not get who he wants/needs and will be out the door in 18 months.

@8252Hazel: All the best Neil, thanks for keeping us up when you came in #UTB

@Kitney03: I’ve slagged off Neil for the last few weeks but would like to wish him luck in the future and have to say thanks for keeping us up. He’s helped us build for the future with the players hes signed that’s for sure

@AshleyBJHatton: Wtf, disrespect on this man after he helps us take a point at a high flying West Brom

@ronanmeehan9: Mixed emotions but it was time. Good luck Neil and thanks for the memories

@kentomkinsmcdmk: Respect to Warnock! A legend of football management and one of a kind! Referees and their assistants will breathe a sigh of relief as he retires! #UTB Who’s next???

@Anderson_LUFC09: Gutted to hear that as a massive fan of him he’s been a great manager and fantastic for the game

@njenn2030: PARTY PARTY PARTY EVERYONE ROUND MY HOUSE FOR A PARMO

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