Soccer: Robson ends seven-year Boro reign

Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson today ended his seven-year reign at the club.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson announced that they had parted company 'by mutual consent'.

He paid tribute to Robson's achievements during his tenure at the club and said Robson had 'quite an incredible record'.

He said: "The pressure on Bryan from the supporters and the Press has played a part in us reaching this conclusion".

The former Manchester United and England midfielder’s future at the Riverside had been in doubt since Terry Venables initially turned down an offer to extend his stay at Boro last month.

Robson’s departure could pave the way for Old Trafford number two Steve McClaren, who is currently on holiday but has been linked with the Teessiders after holding discussions with the club last month.

Robson’s assistant manager, Viv Anderson is also on his way out of Teeside.

Gibson said: "The progress we have made would not have been possible without his help. I wish Bryan and Viv the best of luck in their future careers. We remain firm friends."

Robson, 41, assumed the manager’s post at Boro in 1994 after spending 13 years as a player at Old Trafford.

He said: "‘There’s a lot of stress within this job whatever people class as stress. But some people would give their right arm to be in this job. It’s been an enjoyable stress.

"I am sure I am going to come back better because of the experiences I have had here."

After guiding the club to First Division promotion in his first season as player-manager, Robson largely underachieved in his time at the helm.

Three times Boro reached cup finals, but each time - in the FA Cup and Coca-Cola Cup in 1997 and the Coca-Cola Cup again the following year - Robson’s men failed to secure a trophy.

The further setback of relegation from the Premiership in 1997 - despite the presence of players like Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli and Brazilian Juninho - threw further shadows on Robson’s credentials.

But Robson, aided by his close relationship with chairman Steve Gibson and the reputation he still retained from his playing days, clung onto his job and Boro bounced straight back to the top flight the following year.

However, a lack of progress in the past three seasons - in fact Boro have slipped from ninth, to 12th and then finally 14th last campaign despite spending many more millions of pounds on players - told for Robson.

The arrival of Venables early last season only served to illustrate the problems at the club, as the former England boss led Boro clear of relegation with Robson an increasingly peripheral figure.