Jimmy not Keane on Woody choice

FORMER Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Jonathan Woodgate should have chosen an older and more experienced assistant than Robbie Keane to have been alongside him in the dugout.

Woodgate was sacked by Boro last month with the Riverside Stadium outfit appointing veteran Neil Warnock to take over the Championship strugglers.

Middlesbrough were outside the relegation zone only on goal difference when Warnock took over before overseeing his first win as Boro boss with a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

Following Woodgate being relieved of his duties, his assistant and former Republic of Ireland striker Keane opted to leave the Riverside Stadium with immediate effect as Warnock brought his own coaching staff in.

Keane’s contract at Boro, whom he joined last summer, had been due to expire this summer.

And Hasselbaink, speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the coverage of Boro’s trip to take on fellow strugglers Hull City, would have gone for an older and more experienced number two in the dugout had he been in Woodgate’s shoes.

He said: “I know Steve Gibson very well. Brilliant man. He has given Jonathan the opportunity, he has also given him as long as possible.

“Do I think Jonathan has been smart by putting Keane as his assistant? No. In his first job, he needed a more experienced person next to him. That’s what I would’ve done.

“Hindsight’s a brilliant thing and it’s now easier to talk about it. If it was me, I would’ve had someone a little bit older with years of experience next to me because it is a big job.

“Even though they were not going for promotion, it’s still a big job. Changing the play-style and having a lot of good players.”