Chelsea and Liverpool target Ben Gibson could stay at Middlesbrough despite relegation to Championship
Ben Gibson could STAY at Boro and spearhead a promotion campaign.
Boss Steve Agnew has opened up the possibility of the Teessiders keeping their prize asset for next season.
England call-up defender is being courted by top clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool.
However Agnew believes Gibson, whose uncle is chairman Steve Gibson, will stick around.
Agnew said: “He is one of the group and is determined to stay with it and see Boro back into the Premier league.
“I don’t think it is inevitable (he leaves). Ben has signed a new five year contract during the season and he has had an amazing season.
“Ben has shown that he is a consistent Premier League league player this season.
Agnew said: “He is one of the group and is determined to stay with it and see Boro back into the Premier league.
“I don’t think it is inevitable (he leaves). Ben has signed a new five year contract during the season and he has had an amazing season.
“Ben has shown that he is a consistent Premier League league player this season.
Boro were left “devastated” when relegation was confirmed on Monday night, and Agnew wants a “top class performance” against Southampton on Saturday.
Agnew has exchanged texts with owner Gibson but not discussed his future as manager.
Gibson is having a period of “reflection” as the season ends, and an inquest will come later.
Agnew added: “It’s not about my future or my situation. It’s about Middlesbrough Football Club and understanding where we are. It’s about how we finish strong and then we regroup, have a good summer, and make sure we’re in a fight to bounce back to the Premier League as quick as we can.”
Agnew took over from his boss, Aitor Karanka but only managed one win.
He said: “Have I made mistakes? Of course I have. You have to hold your hand up. There’s one or two things I might have changed looking back, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“I feel responsibility for what’s happened and I’ll take that.
“We’ve not scored enough goals and you need them to win games. But I’ve been pleased with certain aspects and the reaction of the players.
“The home games have had a really good atmosphere within the stadium. But there have been one or two disappointment, certainly Bournemouth and Hull away.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenge and I just want to make sure we want to finish the season strong.”
Agnew says Burnnley, who bounced back straight away under Sean Dyche, are a “good model” to follow.
He added: “It has taken Sean a while to do that, to build a team, to build a squad, to get back into the Premier League but he has done that and returned very quickly.”
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