Strach Backs Out

Last updated : 18 October 2010 By Rob Miles (BarnsleyBoy)

Gordon Strachan has today resigned as manager of Middlesbrough Football Club. The 53 year old Scot who has also managed Coventry, Southampton and Celtic stepped down after seeing the pre-season promotion favourites slip to 20th in the Championship with a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds at the weekend. Strachan, who spend significant funds during the summer presided over just three wins in 11 games this season and they were defeated 2-0 at Oakwell back in August. Saturday’s defeat was their third in their last four matches.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson told BBC Sport:

"He offered his resignation but not only that - in doing so he tore up his contract,"

"He sought no compensation and walked away from the club with empty hands and it's a measure of the man."

Gibson added: "Gordon would be the first to admit that things haven't turned out as we'd have hoped.

"We've had some long, hard very honest discussions in the last month, and today Gordon met with me, we had a long discussion and during that debate he offered his resignation, and I accepted it.

"He's a man of massive integrity, very hard-working, cared deeply for this football club.

"We asked him to do a huge job, I know he gave his best and sometimes circumstances happen where it just doesn't work.

"I like him enormously, but it hasn't worked and we had to face up to it."