The ex-Leeds United star is set to become Middlesbrough’s manager, according to a report.
It looks like a former Leeds United defender might be returning to the Championship – in a managerial capacity.
According to Sky Sports News, Middlesbrough are set to announce Jonathan Woodgate as Tony Pulis’s long-term successor in the North East.
The 39-year-old, who joined Leeds at the age of 16 and stayed until 2003, had been on Pulis’s coaching staff prior to the veteran manager’s sacking in May.
If and when he gets the job, it’ll be the former centre-back’s first foray into senior management, and here’s how fans of the Elland Road club reacted to having him in the opposition dugout next term.
Interestingly, another Leeds legend in the form of Lee Bowyer will be returning to West Yorkshire as a rival next season.
Bowyer led Charlton Athletic to Championship promotion via the League One playoffs last month.
Neither of the two – who helped the Whites to a Champions League semi-final in 2001 – are hugely experienced in a managerial sense, which doesn’t bode well when they face a master such as Marcelo Bielsa.
Woodgate left Leeds to join Newcastle 16 years ago, before sealing a shock move to Real Madrid in 2004. The eight-time England international had two more spells at Middlesbrough – where he began his career – either side of a three-year stint with Tottenham until 2011.
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