Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson called time on Gareth Southgate last night, even though Boro beat Derby 2-0 and lie second in the Championship.

The admirable Gibson gave his young manager a very good crack of the whip, and it’s fair to say that Southgate, while not disastrously bad, didn’t cover himself with glory. He reminded me at times of a sixth-form pupil who had been asked to take a lesson or two in the teacher’s absence.

Nice chap? Sure, one of the nicest around. Good manager? Not sure yet – he’s young enough to bounce back and I hope he does.

Anyway, to celebrate G-South’s time down by the Riverside, Pies presents the following photo essay. It presents the many faces of Boro’s ex-gaffer:

Nose-scratching despondency

Nose-picking despondency

Tracksuited despondency (with covert nose-picking)

Energy drink-sucking despondency

2-for-1 despondency

General despondency with imminent nose-picking

Post nose-picking despondency

Pensive despondency

Brain-hurting despondency

Despondency

Seated pensiveness with undertones of despondency

Pen-chewing pensiveness (no despondency visible)

Relief

Confused optimism

Posted in Championship, FAIL | 2 Comments »