Steve Gibson has come under fire pretty much every time he's chosen to make a statement or speak to the fans or the media this season, largely because of his tendency to say the wrong thing at almost every opportunity.
However, the reasons the Boro chairman's have given for Southgate's dismissal are both accurate and forward thinking.
Mr Gibson said: "When I sat down and considered our start to the season, I felt that the league table was actually more favourable than some of our performances.
"Then I looked at the important games against the teams immediately around us, and took those results into account.
"In general the results and the performances have not been to the level I would have hoped for."
There will not be many Boro fans who sat through the West Brom or Watford or Leicester matches who will disagree with that.
Boro's home record this season had in fact yeiled the worst run of home defeats without scoring for 77 years.
Gibson, continued: "Before last night, our five home games had brought in seven points. That will not get us promoted - and promotion is the only objective for the season."
it is not the decison itself but rather the timing of Southgate's sacking which had most people scratching their heads, but Gibson had already set the wheels in motion long before Adam Johnson's brace put Derby to bed.
The chairman stated:
"As difficult a decision as it was to make, the decision was made before last night's match.
"One good result wasn't going to change that decision.
"We already had a strategy for Gareth's replacement.
"The timing of Gareth's sacking was determined a little by the implementation of that strategy."
So, MFC have a strategy, but do they already have a replacement? If so, is the delay of the unveiling simply out of respect for Southgate?
Gibson paid tribute to Gareth as a man and a tremendous player, saying:
"When I appointed Gareth I gave him an enormous task and he has given of his best.
"His integrity and knowledge of the game can't be questioned and I think in the long term he has the attributes to become a very good football manager.
"He has been absolutely fantastic to work with because of his honesty and the dignified way he conducts himself.
"Part of his legacy is that the club would hope the ethics he brought into the club have set the standard that we would like to take forward.
"He will never be forgotten in Middlesbrough. As skipper he was the first ever from the club to lift a major trophy. He has guided the club through difficult times as a manager.
"I want to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the very best for the future."
While a chairman is never going to say "I hated him, I hope he never works again, the pratt" You do get the feeling that Gibson is genuinely sorry that it has not worked out with Southgate at the helm of his beloved Boro. And perhaps the local chairman feels somewhat responsible for Southgate's fall from grace at Boro by appointing him as the manager in the first place.
The biggest question Gibson now has to answer is can he get it right this time? Is Southgate's replacement going to deliver promotion at the first time of asking and if we do go up, can we survive in an increasingly money motivated Premier League?
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 21-10-09
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