MONK’S MISSION TO KEEP GIBSON
GARRY MONK has been confirmed as the new Middlesbrough boss.
The former Swansea and Leeds manager (left) signed a three-year deal with the relegated club just as Mirror Sport predicted a fortnight ago.
His first task will be to sort out the future of defender Ben Gibson. Keeping the 24-year-old, nephew of chairman Steve Gibson, would be a big statement of intent. Unless a top-five Premier League club comes in for him, Boro believe they can hang on to the player for their Championship return.
The chairman was impressed by Monk over several interviews, and he beat Nigel Pearson to the job. Monk, 38, could keep Steve Agnew, who was caretaker boss after Aitor Karanka’s departure, on the staff.
He may also want James Beattie as his assistant – with the new boss’s detailed plans set to be revealed on Monday morning.
Monk was available without compensation after quitting Leeds two weeks ago. At Boro he will inherit a stable squad and, with minor surgery, they should mount a solid challenge for promotion next season. They have lost Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo, and Gaston Ramirez is likely to be sold.
But the heirarchy will have a go at keeping Gibson despite the player saying he felt he “belonged” in the top flight.
The odds will be against him staying if Chelsea or Liverpool make a £25million move, but any such funds would be reinvested in the squad.