Middlesbrough announce Garry Monk departure

Middlesbrough have parted company with manager Garry Monk, despite winning 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday just a few hours earlier.

He was appointed in June but the club will now spend Christmas appointing a replacement.

Tony Pulis, out of work since leaving West Brom in November, is an experienced name already linked with the vacancy.

The club has released the following statement...

Middlesbrough Football Club have parted company with manager Garry Monk.

The club would like to thank Garry for all his hard work and dedication, and wish him all the best for the future.

The club’s Academy manager Craig Liddle will take temporary charge of first team affairs during the interim period while a successor is appointed.

The club will be making no further comment until an appropriate time

Monk's departure comes despite the victory at Hillsborough earlier in the day, Boro's 10th win in 23 Championship games this season.

Boro are ninth, three points behind Aston Villa, who occupy the final place in the play-off places.

But the aspiration was to challenge for a place in the Championship's top two this season for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Boro are 12 points behind second-placed Cardiff at the halfway stage of the season.

Monk managed Swansea in the Premier League between 2014 and 2015 before helping Leeds to a seventh-placed finish in the Championship last term.

He was unable to agree an extension to his stay at Leeds under new owner Andrea Radrizzani, leaving last May before swiftly taking up the reins at Boro.

Middlesbrough play at home to Bolton on Boxing Day and Aston Villa on December 30