 Welcome to the madhouse Gareth. That was Steve McClaren's message as his managerial successor at Middlesbrough was unveiled last week. And new boss Southgate's reply was equally jocular, brushing aside any suggestion of a rift lingering between the pair. Towards the end of last season the Boro skipper was quoted as saying much of the team's turnaround lay at the feet of chairman Steve Gibson and assorted senior stars. Typically forthright, he also cast doubt on McClaren's England credentials. But no ill-will remains, and Southgate (above) has assumed the Riverside reins by paying tribute to the man who showed him the ropes. "We're going to get on fine," he said. "Steve (McClaren) sent me a message which was really nice and I'm grateful for that - it said `Welcome to the madhouse'. I sent him one back saying he could only play my players if they're fully fit! "I'm very grateful to Steve for allowing me access to things most players aren't allowed access to. For me it was almost like a case study and brilliant. "All of his staff allowed me to track the progress of things on the pitch and developments behind the scenes. "It was fantastic for me to follow his progress as a first-time manager and see how he did things approaching a new job. "I've learned a tremendous amount from Steve, as I have from all of the managers and coaches I've worked with. I'll take things from all of them into the future. "I'm 35 and this is new to me, I've got enthusiasm and ideas but I'm going to need guidance from guys like Steve Harrison, Malcolm Crosby and Steve Round. "I couldn't wish for more experience or better people behind me, that was one of the keys to taking the job. "Without that level of support I think you would struggle from the start." Nor, Southgate insists, will he struggle for want of the UEFA Pro-Licence - and despite claiming all the badges in the world won't make him its best coach, the Boro boss is prepared to jump through the relevant hoops. "I don't necessarily think what you've done as a player has any bearing on what you're going to be like as a manager and these qualifications are not the be-all and end-all of whether you're going to be any good at the job either," he said. "But I completely understand the reasons for needing the badges, it is important that you learn. "I will continue to learn and even once I've qualified for my badges I'll still go on trying to learn by watching other people and studying other ideas. "The fact of the matter is I've had 10 summers playing for England, meaning it was physically impossible for me to get the qualifications because the courses are always in the summer months. "Last year was the first opportunity to go on one of the courses, I did that. This year I was due to do the next part and we qualified for the UEFA Cup final so I missed it again. "It's great to have these requirements for management but it's not always as easy to fulfil them as people might think. "We're trying to come to a solution with the Premier League on my coaching badge situation. "I'm committed to getting my UEFA Pro-Licence as quickly as I can. "At the end of this month I have another three days to do on my B-Licence then we're working towards a resolution. "What I want to do is do things properly, I don't just want to cut corners to get things done quickly, that wouldn't be beneficial to anybody. "Hopefully we can resolve the situation so that I can work at a pace and a level that makes best use of the qualifications. "I'll leave that to Steve Gibson and Keith Lamb, they've have had very constructive talks with the Premier League, the FA and the League Managers' Association and I've got enough on my plate to get on with starting to manage the club." --------------------------------------------------------- No regrets after quick retirement
 Amid the appointment, the objections and the assurances, it almost got lost, swept under the carpet . . . Gareth Southgate has retired from playing. Well, kind of: he'll still be registered, still keep himself trim in case of emergency. But, keen to focus his efforts on life off the pitch, the 35-year-old has drawn a line under life on it - and insists he has no regrets. "Everything has to come to an end," said Middlesbrough's new manager. "I've achieved what I wanted to do as a boy in terms of playing for my country, and it was fantastic to finish my career with a European final, although the ideal swansong would have been to walk away from there with a cup. "I can look back and say I gave everything to my playing career, I've got no regrets. "I could have played another year but you start to feel things more and more. "I'm not going to improve as a player, I'm only going to deteriorate. So it's probably a good time to go, sometimes you can hang around too long. "I'm not bothered about doing a farewell tour, having one more season and that's it. "For me, it's the best way, it's immediate, it's overnight and I'm really comfortable with it." | 
