Southgate job safe despite coaching delay

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate’s job is not under threat despite his inability to obtain the required UEFA Pro-Licence before the start of next season.

The Premier League have confirmed that Southgate – who has already completed his B badge and is currently working towards his A badge – does not face a deadline to comply.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson had stated he feared for Southgate’s future if the League did not give him special dispensation to complete the courses.

He said: “For him to find the time during the season to progress, it’s nonsense.”

However a Premier League spokesman confirmed Southgate’s job was safe.

The spokesman said: “Gareth is registered on the courses to get his badges done as quickly as possible. Therefore further dispensation is not an issue.”

At the start of last season Southgate was granted special dispensation to pursue the required Pro-Licence when he replaced Steve McClaren as manager at the Riverside Stadium.

The Premier League have now recognised that Southgate’s inability to fulfil the requirement of being enrolled on the Pro-Licence course by the start of next season was purely down to a lack of available opportunities.