Soccer: Boro - We battled to keep Tel

Middlesbrough have confirmed that former England coach Terry Venables has ended all links with the club.

Venables rescued Boro from the threat of relegation from the Premiership in a six-month coaching role after taking over with the team at the bottom of the table last December.

Chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We desperately tried to retain Terry at the end of the season after he did an excellent job.

"Terry effectively switched the light on for me in regard to coaching and organisation. Unfortunately, his television commitments could not allow the time for the job required.

"We had to move on further and do what was best for Middlesbrough Football Club. We believe we now have the best man for the job.

"Steve McClaren is the future of Middlesbrough."

The former Manchester United number two has signed a five-year-contract.