Southgate predicts bright future

Despite the 4-0 defeat by Sevilla FC in last night's UEFA Cup final, captain Gareth Southgate believes Middlesbrough FC are in a healthy position to compete for future trophies with the club's investment in their youth academy starting to bear fruit.

Academy base
The 35-year-old centre-back has been arguably the most influential of a clutch of senior players whose experience proved vital in Middlesbrough's run to the Eindhoven showpiece, although it is to the club's academy - which has provided 16 first-team players this season - that Southgate directs the majority of the credit. "The academy structure that the chairman has implemented is fantastic - that has been the basis for a lot of what we've achieved this season," the defender told uefa.com. "It will hopefully continue to provide the nucleus of the team for the next five to ten years. It's very important for any club to have that identity of players from the local area who care passionately, that has to be a big advantage."

'Ground-breaking period'
A key factor in the progress of those young players has been Steve McClaren's willingness to give them a chance in the senior side, and with the manager now leaving to work as Sven-Göran Eriksson's assistant at the FIFA World Cup before succeeding the Swede as England boss on 1 August, Southgate is keen to pay tribute to his five years on Teesside. "Steve's done a fantastic job. We've had difficult spells this season but you have to look at things over a five-year period and this club has won its first trophy and been into Europe twice and nobody can argue that that is a fantastic experience. It's been a ground-breaking period for the club and he's leaving behind a period of success."

McClaren link
Southgate was McClaren's first signing when the manager arrived in 2001, joining from Aston Villa FC for €9.5m, and McClaren has frequently said his first transfer remains his best. For his part, the former English international admits that, after some initial scepticism, the move has proved the right one: "When Steve brought me here, there were other teams who'd shown an interest in signing me who were already established and challenging for trophies. He said to me: 'You'll get more enjoyment from being in something from the beginning that you will just joining in.' I wasn't too sure about that but I've got to say it was right. I've taken tremendous satisfaction from being a part in the changing wind through this club. The manager has left a legacy in terms of the development of the club and it's been a very successful period for us. I feel integral in that and that's really rewarding."

'Geared for success'
With one year left on his contract, thoughts are inevitably turning towards Southgate's future and the veteran confesses he would love to stay involved with Middlesbrough after his playing days are over: "I'm contracted here for another year as a player. We've discussed in the past that I'd like to move into coaching and we'll that discuss again over the next year or so. I'd love to help in any way I can. Everything about this club is geared to improve and progress so I'd like to be part of that. I feel at home here, and I've loved the experience. The fans here have made me very welcome. I've got a good rapport with them and I've enjoyed being involved with people in the local community. It's a family club, I like the way it's run and I'm sure it's going to continue to move forward."