Gibson: No plans to sack Southgate

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Gibson gave the under-pressure manager his full backing on Tuesday in the face of mounting frustration over the club's plight.

The Boro chairman told the club's official website: "I have spoken with a lot of fans over the last few weeks and they ask me about Gareth Southgate. But the magic wand in our situation isn't sacking Gareth Southgate."

Gibson added: "Of course, everybody has their opinion in football and I understand the frustration of the fans. I have always said that we have a knowledgeable crowd at Middlesbrough and you have to respect that.

"I take on board the views of the fans because I care as much as they do. But if I was to sack Gareth Southgate at this stage, how would it help the situation?"

Boro slipped to four points adrift of Barclays Premier League safety as a result of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Stoke and remain rooted in 19th place in the table.

They resume after the international break with a trip to Bolton, and then face Hull and Fulham at the Riverside in a series of games which will almost certainly hold the key to their survival hopes.

However, the famously loyal Gibson, who at one point drafted in Terry Venables during the 2000-01 season to help out Bryan Robson as his side lurched towards the trapdoor, remains convinced Southgate is the right man for the job.

He said: "Gareth has great experience of football at every level. He is working to the best of his ability to turn things around.

"When he was a player, he worked immensely hard to make himself a better player. He does exactly the same as a manager. I couldn't expect any more from him in terms of blood, sweat and tears."