Jonathan Woodgate's Middlesbrough role? I've no idea, admits Neil Warnock

Woodgate was relieved of his duties as head coach a game into the restarted Championship campaign, and replaced by manager Warnock.

Despite a difficult start to his career which had Boro in serious danger of relegation until the veteran rescued them, chairman Steve Gibson rates Woodgate highly and in an unusual move, kept him at the club. Just what he will be doing, though, is a mystery to Warnock, who confirmed he will be keeping on Percovich after being impressed by the Uruguayan.

Asked this week what role Woodgate would fill, Warnock replied: “I’ve no idea to be honest, I think Steve said he would be talking to Jonathan didn’t he so I’ve not really any idea on that or where he is, to be honest.”

But Woodgate's first-team coach Percovich has slotted in well alongside Warnock stalwarts Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, with one aspect in particular impressing him.

“I think Ronnie and Blackie have got on really well with him and he’s the best we’ve ever known at putting substitutes on and telling everybody what they’re doing and who they’re marking, pretty amazing that, so it might be a new job for somebody - substitute coach!” said Warnock.

Woodgate's assistant Robbie Keane left the club when his boss was sacked as head coach. Warnock first started working with future Leeds United and Sheffield United manager Blackwell when he signed him for Scarborough in November 1986. Jepson is also a long-term member of his inner circle, with Warnock having brought the striker to Huddersfield Town in 1993.

Warnock, who has offered new contracts to George Friend and Marvin Johnson and signed former Queens Park Rangers captain Grant Hall, says he will give more thought to the make-up of next season's backroom staff in the coming days.

“We haven’t had a lot of time to go into details,” he said. “I think every manager wants to bring in his own staff, don’t they, that’s the normal thing.

“We’re going to be talking about everything over this week and next week and will make decisions on both the staff and playing side.”

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