Southgate's side have won just five league games all season

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate says he could have "no complaints" if he was sacked by chairman Steve Gibson.

Boro were brushed aside 3-0 by bottom-of-the-table West Brom on Saturday - a defeat which extends their winless league run to ten matches.

Southgate, whose side are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference, said: "If Steve thinks there needs to be change, he will make a change.

"I could have no complaints if he did based on the results we have had."

I don't sit here thinking 'I'm bullet-proof Gareth Southgate

Southgate was given time last season when Boro were on a similarly disastrous run and he hopes he will be given time to turn things around.

"The circumstances we are in as a club, and the things we've worked on together, lead me to believe he is totally supportive of what we are doing," added Southgate.

"But you have to accept as a manager, and the nature of the industry, that change can happen anytime and I don't sit here thinking 'I'm bullet-proof.'

"I will continue to give every ounce of energy to this club until someone tells me otherwise."

606: DEBATE All the talk of us getting a new manager may be understandable but, I think, premature. the_leighton_buzzard.

And Southgate urged his squad to show similar spirit to haul the club away from the foot of the table.

"We have been beaten 3-0 at the bottom team and how we come through this is the important thing," said Southgate. "We understand the spotlight will be on us. Everyone will be asking plenty of questions about us.

"We have to stand strong, we have to take the criticism, and we have to respond with what we do on the field. We have to stand firm as a group."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version