Jonathan Woodgate sacked: Middlesbrough appoint Neil Warnock immediately after sacking head coach

Warnock returns to management after seven months out of work since leaving Cardiff City, with Middlesbrough only above the Championship relegation zone on goal difference

Jonathan Woodgate has been sacked by Middlesbrough (PA)

Jonathan Woodgate has been sacked by Middlesbrough FC, who have immediately appointed former Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock in his place.

The Championship club have taken decisive action following the 3-0 defeat against Swansea City on Saturday, in what was their first league match in more than three months.

The heavy loss leaves Boro down in 21st position in the Championship league table, level on points with Hull City who only sit below them in the relegation zone due to goal difference, and with just eight games remaining in the delayed 2019/20 season, chairman Steve Gibson has stepped in to try and ensure the club do not drop down to League One.

A statement issued on Tuesday morning read: “Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that head coach Jonathan Woodgate has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

“Jonathan was relieved of his role on Tuesday morning and will be replaced by the experienced Neil Warnock.

“Warnock will assume responsibility immediately.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jonathan for all his work in the role of head coach.”

The timing of the decision will not go unnoticed, given the club have had the last three months during football’s suspension to weigh up whether Woodgate is the right man to lead the club forward given they were winless in their last 13 matches in all competitions.

Having not won a Championship game since the 2-0 victory at Preston North End on New Year’s Day, Boro’s run of bad form had seen them slide ever closer towards the drop zone, and any hopes that the coronavirus-enforced break would bring a change of fortunes were dashed by Saturday’s heavy defeat at the Riverside.

"They carved us open on numerous occasions in the first half hour," Woodgate said after the defeat.

"Our fans are very good but we can't blame (them not being here), we need to do more. There are big games to go and the next two are huge. We need to perform a lot better, that's without a shadow of a doubt."

Neil Warnock returns to management seven months after leaving Cardiff City (PA)

However, it will be Warnock who leads Boro into those games, firstly against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon before a crucial relegation grudge match with Hull next Thursday that will no doubt have a major say on the survival picture in the Championship this season.

Woodgate leaves the role after 41 games in charge, having won just nine of those and suffering 16 defeats to leave a win ratio of just 21.9 per cent.