Gareth Southgate (talking to the Mail): "It didn't sink in, it was so unexpected. I was too stunned to mount a defence. I regret now that I didn't say a few things, like the fact we were only one point off the top of the table.
"It wouldn't have changed his mind but it might have made me feel better.
"I've heard different reasons since then for my sacking - low crowds was one. I understand that Steve might feel a new manager could lift the fans at this stage but the reason I was given was poor results, which is surprising.
"I got a text from someone pointing out I'd only got one point less than Chris Hughton and he had been offered the manager's job full-time at Newcastle United."
Personally I believe Newcastle will suffer for appointing Hughton as boss - and Gibson has taken Boro to a higher level. Only time will tell.