STRACHAN WILL REPLACE 'DEVASTATED' SOUTHGATE

GORDON STRACHAN will be unveiled as Middlesbrough manager tomorrow morning.

The former Southampton, Coventry and Celtic chief reached agreement with the Championship outfit late on Friday evening and will begin work at the Riverside Stadium immediately.

The deal was held up because Strachan believed it was morally wrong to talk to Middlesbrough while they still had a manager and proper negotiations did not begin until Thursday.

Strachan's contract will carry the same 12-month break clause that his predecessors at the Riverside Stadium, Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren and Gareth Southgate, had inserted into their deals.

"Gordon said he would come as soon as he was approached," said a source.

"He wanted the challenge but he would not talk to the club when they had another manager.

"The decision to get rid of Gareth Southgate was a very difficult one for the club to make and it was not done easily. His legacy will be his enthusiasm.

"But there were major doubts about key decisions this season and the squad is not strong.

"Gordon will take over on Monday and he has not asked for stupid money.

"He will work players harder than they have ever been worked and some won't be able to cope."

Southgate is said to be devastated by a decision he did not see coming, despite relegation last season placing him in a vulnerable position.

"He is lower than when he missed the penalty in Euro 96," said a source close to the 39-year-old.

"He does not know which way to turn at the moment.

"He is absolutely devastated."

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has turned to Strachan in a bid to add discipline to his young squad, whose form against the top half of the Championship teams was the major reason behind Southgate's dismissal.

There is expected to be a clearout in January and Strachan will act fast to sign his former Parkhead skipper Gary Caldwell, who is in the final eight months of his contract at Celtic.

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• STRACHAN EXPLAINS BORO DECISION
• BORO PROVE THEY ARE PROMOTION CERTS

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