After the bad timing of Gareth Southgate's sacking, is Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson's halo slipping?

Remind me again how many points Middlesbrough were off the the promotion places when Gareth Southgate was sacked an hour after wining a game.

I recall is was just a couple.

Let’s take a look at the league table this morning. Tenth place and eleven points off the pace.

We will never know whether Boro would have sunk to mid-table had Southgate stayed on. What we do know is that his sacking, sorry the club’s official term is “relieved of his duties”, was badly timed.

If they’d wanted rid, Steve Gibson should have done the dirty work in the summer when they were relegated, not early-season.

Now we hear Southgate is having to get involved in a legal wrangle to get his contract paid up. Is Gibson’s halo slipping?

Follow Simon Bird on Twitter

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!

williamhill.com

Your comments

Related content

Why Newcastle must use their bonding trip to Spain to ensure the season doesn't go south

    Latest opinions

    Column

    United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too

    Brian Reade 20:59 10/02/12

      We should have sacked Capello two years ago Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs  Those who think to... Read More+

      Column

      We should have sacked Capello two years ago

      Brian Reade 20:58 10/02/12

        United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too Why Moyes is the ri... Read More+

        Column

        Why Moyes is the right man for Spurs

        Brian Reade 20:57 10/02/12

          United v Liverpool has always been spiky... but it used to be about football too  We should have sac... Read More+

          Blog

          Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot

          Mirror Football Blog 15:52 10/02/12

            It's a tough life being a top footballer part 3,876: poor old Sami Khedira. Not only is he forced to... Read More+

            Blog

            3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train

            Football Banter 15:38 10/02/12

              Presenting quality football videos from the interweb, daily at 3pm. Here's today's collection: 1) We... Read More+

              Column

              Why does snow and extreme weather bring out the best in football fans?

              Ian Winwood 14:09 10/02/12

                A few years ago, on the weekend before Christmas I went with my mum to see Barnsley play at Queens P... Read More+

                Blog

                Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25)

                Mirror Football Blog 12:09 10/02/12

                  'Arry'll put a smile on those poor England boys' faces. Yeah, 'Arry's a man manager. Arm round the s... Read More+

                  Blog

                  The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games

                  Mirror Football Blog 11:25 10/02/12

                    The MirrorFootball Best XI is our new feature celebrating the very best of the beautiful game. Each ... Read More+

                    Blog

                    Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again

                    Mirror Football Blog 00:00 10/02/12

                      Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have already taken to Twitter to say Harry Redknapp is the man they’d... Read More+

                      Blog

                      Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future

                      Mirror Football Blog 23:00 09/02/12

                        For a man who just shot the sheriff, David ­Bernstein looked ­thoroughly unruffled. The FA chairman ... Read More+

                        Column

                        Redknapp will be a great England boss, but not before he leaves Spurs with a top, top parting gift

                        Robbie Savage 22:00 09/02/12

                          You would have thought Harry Redknapp will find it difficult to keep his eye on the ball. Every time... Read More+

                          Blog

                          What are the odds England win a trophy under their next boss? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

                          Betting Blog 22:00 09/02/12

                          There is no doubt Harry Redknapp, hot favourite for the England job, has an amazingly consistent tra... Read More+

                          Who should be England's next manager?

                          Latest columnists

                          Brian Reade

                          Brian Reade Read more from Brian Reade

                          Ian Winwood

                          Ian Winwood Read more from Ian Winwood

                          Robbie Savage

                          Robbie Savage Read more from Robbie Savage

                          James Nursey

                          James Nursey Read more from James Nursey

                          Mark Lawrenson

                          Mark Lawrenson Read more from Mark Lawrenson

                          Latest blogs

                          Watch video of Sami Khedira and Lena Gercke's steamy GQ photo shoot - Mirror Football Blog
                            3PM Extra: Joe Hart's fart, when mascots attack and Turkish team's bus collides with express train - Football Banter
                              Simon Bird's Premier League previews and predictions (Week 25) - Mirror Football Blog
                                The Best XI Liverpool vs Manchester United games - Mirror Football Blog
                                  Why do Rooney and co want Redknapp to succeed Capello? He'll make playing for England fun again - Mirror Football Blog
                                    Why having a Football Association chairman with balls gives England hope for the future - Mirror Football Blog
                                      3PM Extra: Insanely awful own goal, 12th man takes it too seriously and the Anfield cat gets immortalised in music - Football Banter