Middlesbrough chairman discussed January transfer targets with Garry Monk just days before sacking him

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Garry Monk was sacked by Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson despite the pair holding a meeting only on Wednesday in which they made plans and identified targets for the January transfer window.

During the meeting, the Middlesbrough board gave no indication that they intended to relieve Monk from his position.

Monk oversaw a 2-1 comeback victory at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday to lift Middlesbrough to within three points of the play-off places.

Middlesbrough sacked Garry Monk days after holding transfer plan meeting with chairman

However, the manager was left devastated as he received a phone call upon arriving at his home near Teesside shortly after 8pm. 

When the chairman called Monk, the manager was expecting it to be a message of congratulations following an impressive away victory but instead he was informed by telephone that his Boro reign was over.

Monk was particularly baffled as he has previously received assurances from the chairman. Three months ago, Gibson made another call to Monk in which the chairman insisted that the manager will be allowed time to find a winning formula - even if that means promotion waits until next season. Monk has relocated his family to the north-east and they will now spend Christmas together at home.

He was told his reign at Boro was over via the phone hours after beating Sheffield Wednesday

Some senior players were believed to hold concerns over his management style but Monk believed he still had the trust and faith of his dressing room. He called the win at Sheffield Wednesday his side's 'best away performance' of the season.

Monk, 38, leaves Middlesbrough 9th in the Championship and 12 points behind the automatic promotion places. He received financial backing in excess of £40m last summer but it has taken time to repair the morale of a club that suffered relegation from the Premier League last season.

Following complaints over the conservative style of football played under Aitor Karanka, Gibson asked Monk to introduce a more adventurous style of play. Yet the man in the frame to replace Monk now is Tony Pulis.

Boro have been contacted for comment (Still to respond).

Jonny Howson and Ryan Shotton scored in 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday