Strachan parts company with Boro

Soccer: Gordon Strachan’s ill-fated reign as Middlesbrough boss finally came to a close tonight when he ripped up his contract…

Soccer:Gordon Strachan's ill-fated reign as Middlesbrough boss finally came to a close tonight when he ripped up his contract with the Teessiders after a year at the helm.

The 53-year-old former Celtic, Coventry and Southampton manager left with Boro languishing in 20th place in the npower Championship table having taken just 11 points from as many games to date this season.

Chairman Steve Gibson confirmed Strachan’s departure by mutual consent this evening. He said: “It’s a sad day. Gordon worked very hard for the football club. He would be the first to admit that things haven’t turned out as we would have hoped.

“We have had some hard, long, very honest discussions in the last month, and today Gordon met with me mid-morning. We had a long discussion and during that debate, he offered his resignation and I accepted it.”