Garry Monk, Middlesbrough Part Ways After Less Than 7 Months

But it was just the club's second victory in five matches and did not prove enough to save Monk - who replaced caretaker manager Steve Agnew in June shortly after resigning at Leeds United - from the axe. If the timing of the 38-year-old's departure is slightly surprising, his dismissal will not be seen as a shock on Teesside. The club was relegated from the Premier League last season and expected Monk to lead a quick return to England's top flight. "It doesn't happen overnight", said Monk as recently as Friday.

Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk has been sacked just before Christmas.

"I don't doubt these players".

The relegated Teessiders are seeking an immediate return to the Premier League and now sit in ninth - three points off the play-off spots.

Although Gibson is rightly noted as one of the most supportive and loyal club owners in English football, such an ostensibly ruthless act is not without precedent on Teesside.

Numerous fans are now calling for manager Carlos Carvalhal to leave, and with Wednesday without a win in seven, the time for the Portuguese coach to walk or be sacked could well be approaching.

He was unable to agree an extension to his stay at Leeds under new owner Andrea Radrizzani, leaving last May before swiftly taking up the reigns at Boro.

Middlesbrough has appointed club academy director Craig Liddle, a former Boro defender, as interim manager until they find a replacement for Monk.