SM
Liverpool vs. Fulham: 18 hrs 35 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Middlesbrough part company with Tony Pulis after missing out on playoffs

:Headline: Middlesbrough part company with Tony Pulis after missing out on playoffs: ID:359527: from db_amp
Boro missed out on promotion to the Premier League for a second successive season.

Middlesbrough are looking for a new manager after deciding not to renew Tony Pulis' contract following the club's failure to win promotion back to the Premier League.

The Teessiders announced that they had parted company with the 61-year-old, whose existing deal was due to expire on June 30, on Friday morning less than a fortnight after finishing in seventh place in the Sky Bet Championship and missing out on the play-offs.

A club statement said: "Middlesbrough FC can confirm that the contract of manager Tony Pulis will not be extended."

His departure comes as no surprise with the club's fans having voiced their disapproval of his style of play, and Pulis himself hinted that his days might be numbered.

Boro were in contention for one of the automatic promotion spots for long periods of the campaign, but a run of six successive defeats in March and April saw them slide down the table and they ultimately finished in seventh place as Derby pipped them to the final play-off berth.

Pulis was drafted in by chairman Steve Gibson in December 2017 after the dismissal of Garry Monk, who had been allowed to invest heavily in the likes of £15million striker Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Darren Randolph and Ashley Fletcher.

He was charged with the task of taking the club back into the top flight after their hard-earned return had lasted just a single season, and although he failed – his side lost to Aston Villa in the play-off semi-finals last season – he leaves with the best wishes of the man who employed him.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is looking for a new manager (Nigel French/PA)

Gibson said: "I'd like to thank Tony for his hard work and commitment over the past 18 months. He has been a joy to work with and a complete gentleman.

"Two years ago, we invested heavily in the squad in terms of transfer fees and salaries in an attempt to regain our Premier League status. This happened before Tony's arrival.

"Over the past 18 months, Tony has been proactive, not only in the ambition to win football matches and promotion to the Premier League, but also in addressing our financial position in order to comply and respect the Championship Fair Play criteria.

"He has ensured that the club is stable and strong for the future. He leaves us in excellent condition.

Former Middlesbrough and England defender Jonathan Woodgate has been touted as a replacement (Mike Egerton/PA)

"Tony's backing of our Academy has seen many youngsters make their first team debuts. I am sure that Dael Fry, Lewis Wing, Marcus Tavernier, and Nathan Wood will be grateful for the faith he has shown in them.

"I'm sorry to see Tony leave, but our friendship and my gratitude will remain. Tony and his family will always be welcome at Middlesbrough Football Club."

Boro's parachute payments following relegation have now stopped, and they could adopt a more radical approach as they look for a replacement with former England defender Jonathan Woodgate, currently first-team coach at the Riverside, among the front-runners.

amp_article__359527 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-05-17 10:44:55:
html db last update - 2019-05-17 10:44:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Tony Pulis

Click here for more stories about Middlesbrough

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .