Southgate granted a reprieve

Gareth Southgate was tonight given permission to carry on as Middlesbrough manager until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old, whose initial three-month dispensation to remain in charge of the club despite not having the necessary Uefa Pro Licence expired on Sunday, has been told he can remain in charge for the remainder of the campaign as he pursues his qualifications.

The Premier League Board met this afternoon to consider Boro's application for an extension, and agreed to their request.

A statement said: "The Premier League Board today considered Middlesbrough FC's request that Gareth Southgate be given dispensation from the Premier League Rule Q.4 ... for the remainder of the season.

"In this instance, the board took into account the fact that Gareth Southgate had up until recently been a regular international player, which therefore had prevented him from taking the necessary Uefa coaching badges towards the end of his playing career; that the structure of Uefa coaching courses in England is such that they are not sufficiently accessible to players in Gareth Southgate's position; that Gareth Southgate has undertaken to have completed his Uefa A qualification by the end of the current season; and to have started his Pro Licence in time for the start of the 2007-08 season.

"Given the specific circumstances in relation to Gareth Southgate's situation and his subsequent undertakings, the board have consented to Middlesbrough FC's request."

Southgate was relieved to see the matter finally resolved.

He said: "I am delighted to have brought the saga to a happy conclusion, if only because it will mean I will now be asked something else when I talk to the press.

"I have always been committed to gaining the necessary qualifications to everyone's satisfaction and I am delighted that the Premier League have given me the go-ahead to continue in my role."

Southgate is currently working towards his B Licence and will then start his A Licence course in January before he can enrol on the Pro Licence course and meet the newly-amended requirements.

His case has prompted the Premier League, the Football Association and the League Managers' Association to look at the problems faced by top players as they attempt to make the move into management.

The result is that they now intend to establish a coaching pathway which will allow new managers to gain their qualifications more quickly.