Southgate determined to impress
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is determined to repay the club’s faith in backing him while talks over his appointment continue.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb are in discussions with the Premier League after they handed Southgate a five-year contract during the summer, despite his lack of the necessary UEFA Pro Licence.
Rules currently allow him to remain in charge for just 12 weeks, a period that expires next month, but the club hopes a solution can be found.
It has also given the 36-year-old an incentive to build on Boro’s recent back-to-back wins, over Everton and Newcastle.
“It gives me added motivation to make it work,” said Southgate.
“I’ve left that to our chairman and Keith Lamb. They are in talks with the Premier League and everybody seems to be trying to find the correct route forward.
“They said it is going very well. I know I have the full support of the club and have been given a fantastic opportunity here.”
Southgate added: “It’s not something I concern myself with because I can’t affect it. I just get on with the job I’m doing here.
“I’m committed to continuing my education with coaching badges. I’ve said that all along and my biggest focus is on getting results for this club.
“If you can’t affect it then why worry about it?”
Southgate was a player at Boro until his appointment as Steve McClaren’s successor, so there is an argument that there has not been time for him to complete the badges he is undertaking.
He added: “From the club’s point of view, they want to know that the decision they’ve made will be ratified and it’s very clear the route forward in this coming months and years.
“I didn’t expect to be in this position four months ago so I’m just going with things at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Southgate will be without Mark Viduka for Monday’s clash at Manchester City after the striker broke a toe during the victory over Newcastle.
“Mark’s played in the last few games and was starting to look sharper. As a club we’ll have to deal injuries through the season,” Southgate said.
Viduka’s contract at the Riverside Stadium ends at the end of the season but Southgate hopes the Australia striker can play well enough when he returns from injury to earn a new deal.
He added: “It’s something we’ve discussed briefly. From my point of view and the club’s point of view I want Mark playing as well as possible so we can turn around and say we are ready to extend it.
“I think he is very happy here and enjoying his football and the working environment here. I don’t want him to leave here.
“He’s here until the end of the season at least and I hope to be in a position to extend that as we go on.”
