Tony Mowbray has admitted that he’ll have to clear out his former Celtic contingent from Middlesbrough.
The Teeside club face a third season in the Championship which means that high earners such as Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus and Barry Robson will have to be moved on.
All three were signed by Gordon Strachan to get the club back into the Premiership at the first attempt but financial reality is hitting hard with Kris Boyd already sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest.
Mowbray’s honesty probably contributed to his downfall at Celtic but at a recent supporters Q and A night he spelt out the financial realities facing the club.
“We have 6, 7, 8 or 9 players who earn more than this club can afford to pay,” the Boro boss admitted. “That’s not their fault, that’s just the way it is and we have to accept that.
“Decisions were taken with the best of intentions but they haven’t worked out. I have to be honest with you because I know you care about this football club as much as I do. We’re in a position where we have to move players on, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s a very difficult situation we’re in. This is what we need to address over the summer. It won’t be easy because some of the players we need to move on are on very good contracts with two, three years remaining on them. We have to hope other clubs will want to buy our players.”
Mowbray also gave an interesting insight into scouting matters giving a direct comparison between how ‘Boro operate and the way that Celtic do business.
He explained: “When I was at West Brom we had everything on hard-disk, a whole raft of players, thousands and thousands of players from all over the world all on our database.
“We knew their attributes. We knew them inside out. If I needed a player then I could consult my, our, database and put a short-list together. When I went to Celtic we had a similar thing.
“Thousands and thousands of players, from every corner of the globe really, all on hard-disk. When I needed a player I used it. I could make a copy of it, take it home and study it. This doesn’t exist at Middlesbrough. We don’t have that facility.
“I don’t know why, who was responsible for it, but we don’t have anything like that. I know Gordon(Strachan) doesn’t use scouts, he uses his contacts. Like I say, he has his way and I have mine.
“I like to think I’m a modern manager and I’m thorough. It’s not me being arrogant but nobody prepares their team, their staff, more thoroughly than I do.
“Should I have brought a copy of my database down with me when I took the job? Possibly, but then you have to ask; does the database belong to me or the club? So, maybe I should have brought it with me but it’s gone now, in the past.”
Full article from Middlesbrough Supporters South.
Neil Lennon speaks out on twitter.
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Strachans Match of the day scouting is now outdated and off a more lavish time.
It’s a pity for us he only watched games in Embra and Dundee.
who cares??? and his lack of tactical knowledge and his losing mentality lead to his downfall more than his honesty!!!
Just take is on the chin and move on tony!!!
Can he not just buy Football Manager like everyone else? Listening to Mowbray makes me cringe.
I was no Strachan fan, but the big difference between Mowbray and Strachan was the Strachan wanted to win at all costs.
Mowbray thinks he’s a Guardiola or Wenger – which he certainly isn’t
Mowbray nearly ruined Celtic last year what a feckin shambles.
Mowbray’s a clown hasn’t got a clue ad rather put ma nuts in a meat grinder than listen tae that boring b****rd and he will run your club in to the ground, the only upside to mowbrays time of terror is that we now have passion and good football in the form of Lenny
Mick for a return to Glasgow???
Which side however?
He will get middlesbrough promoted next season.
Mowbray talks more p*sh than Rangers fan’s. He’s a clown. I used to hate it wen I seen the guy in the dug out. I never wanted him in the first place. Imagine taking aw that money aff Celtic after doing a crap job.
Why has P. Grant left his management team I wonder. At least when Strachan didn’y do a job right at a team he walks away without grabbing cash aff the team. If i seen Tony in the street i would shout ‘gees oor money back ya clown’lol
HH.LENNON
“nobody prepares their team more thoroughly than I do”….???
you mean “to lose” ???
“to get cuffed 4-0 by St.Mirren” ???
guy was an unmitigated disaster for the Hoops !
so glad he’s gone !
@Specialbhoy
Yeah mabye strachan wanted to win at all costs but guess what mate he never f***ing did, did he?
And guess what Tony Mowbray has went 12 games and only lost 1, Strachan lost most of his piss poor games and put the club in MASSIVE debt.
Hence why Tony is left with NO CHOICE but to sell our top players.
P.s FACT: Middlesbroughs Wage Budget is more than QPR and Norwich PUT TOGETHER !!!!!!!!!!!!!