Tel ends Boro affair

Venables helped save Middlesbrough from relegation

Middlesbrough and former England coach Terry Venables have officially parted company.

Venables helped save the club from relegation after being appointed last December.

But Boro say, despite their efforts to keep him on, Venables' television commitments made it impossible for him to continue.

"We desperately tried to retain Terry at the end of the season after he did an excellent job," said chief executive Keith Lamb.

"Terry effectively switched the light on for me in regard to coaching and organisation.

"Unfortunately, his television commitments could not allow the time for the job required."

Middlesbrough unveiled former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren as their new manager on Tuesday.

McClaren is believed to have agreed to move only on the condition that Venables and Bryan Robson were no longer at the club.

Lamb added: "We had to move on further and do what was best for Middlesbrough Football Club. We believe we now have the best man for the job.

"Steve McClaren is the future of Middlesbrough."