Southgate finding his feet

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has admitted he is starting to sleep better after his first year in charge.



The 36-year-old was thrown in at the deep end by chairman Steve Gibson last summer and had to learn on the job very quickly as he attempted to guide the club through a season of transition.

His enjoyment is gradually starting to increase, however, as he puts together his vision for the future.

you worry

Asked about the transition from player to manager, he said: "Playing was easier, although it is still one of the hardest things in the world to step over the white line and put your body on the line every week and perform in front of thousands of people.

"But the difference is that once you have finished, all you need to worry about is yourself. You worry about how you played and you worry if the team has won or lost.

"As the manager, you worry about the 11 players who played, five substitutes, all your staff, 30,000 supporters and everybody phoning in and millions watching on the television. The difference is extreme. I get a bit more sleep each month that goes by and the players are starting to believe what we are about. I am relishing the challenge of managing."