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