Garry Monk makes plea for more time in Middlesbrough programme… days after being sacked
Ex-Riverside boss asks for 'our passionate fans to continue to show patience and support for the players'
GARRY MONK's words were on the lips of everybody at Middlesbrough today...
Especially if you happened to be at Riverside Stadium reading his programme notes.
Yes, Monk's programme notes saw him pleading for time to put Middlesbrough on the right track.
For despite being sacked and replaced by Tony Pulis, the former Swansea City and Leeds United manager's pearls of wisdom were there for Boro fans to read before the kick-off with Bolton.
"Hopefully", wrote Monk, "we can thank you for all your support by rewarding you with a Christmas victory".
Well, not under him.
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Monk arrived at the Riverside in the summer with great expectations following Boro's relegation from the Premier League.
But it didn't work out.
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Just as he did with Gareth Southgate in 2009, chairman Steve Gibson swung the axe within hours of a league victory.
Judging from his programme notes, Monk knew he had under-performed and called for the club's "our passionate fans to continue to show patience and support for the players".
He wrote: "Yes, we expected to be performing better with more consistency than we have to this point.
"And, yes, we expected to be in a higher position in the league than we are right now.
"But what I do know from experience, and I am 100 per cent confident of this, is in the work we are doing with the players on a daily basis.
"And the huge commitment and effort the players the players put in to the everyday working.
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"
"We have a lot of hard work ahead of us and we have a duty to repay your great support that you give us.
"We are determined to do exactly that. And we must do it together."
Sadly for Monk, if Boror's future does turn out to be bright - it doesn't include him.