WOODY’S ‘WORST TIME TO BE BOSS’

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Jonathan Woodgate will emerge stronger for entering management “at the worst time ever’’.

That is the view of fellow former Boro centreback Steve Vickers, who is convinced that chairman Steve Gibson sees similar potential in Woodgate (above) to predecessors Bryan Robson, Steve Mcclaren, Gareth Southgate and Aitor Karanka.

Like Woodgate, all four were first-time bosses – and Boro proved the springboard for both Mcclaren and Southgate to manage England.

Woodgate, 40, worked under Tony Pulis on Teesside before Gibson placed him in charge last summer on a three-year contract, with ex-republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane as his assistant.

It has been a struggle for local boy Woodgate, who won only two of his first 18 games in league and cup, and went 12 matches without victory in all competitions before Boro’s last outing in March when they were 1-0 winners at Charlton.

A relegation battle has ensued and Vickers, a match-day host at the Riverside, said: “I think Woody has come into the job at the worst time ever for a manager.

“Because of the coronavirus, we don’t know when – or if – this season will be completed.

“And he’s had no real money to spend and the squad has had to be trimmed down.

“He’s also had a lot of injuries – it’s not been easy. He’s a first-time manager, working in the toughest circumstances.

“Boro did quite well under Pulis, but the fans became very frustrated with the brand of football.

“Woody has come in and changed the style.

“He’s had to blood a few youngsters, like Hayden Coulson and Djed Spence, but they’ve shown they’re up to playing in the Championship.

“We’ve had Robbo, Mcclaren, Southgate, Karanka and now Jonathan as first-time managers. If Woody can emulate what they’ve all done, there’ll be exciting times in the future.’’