Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits there have been times this season when he could not have complained had chairman Steve Gibson decided to sack him.

The 37-year-old has endured a tough second campaign at the Riverside Stadium helm and admitted after last Saturday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth which secured Boro's Barclays Premier League status, that changes would have to be made.

However, the one things that has been unswerving on Teesside is Gibson's support for the man he appointed as Steve McClaren's successor two seasons ago, and Southgate knows how fortunate he is in that respect.

"When times are difficult, that is when the chairman is at his most supportive," he told the club's official website.

"I have to accept that there were stages in the season where if he had turned round and said, 'Thank very much, but enough's enough', then I could have had no complaints.

"I am delighted for him because he's given me an opportunity here knowing that I am lacking experience."