IN the end, it was a Paddy McCourt goal that did for Tony Mowbray.
The former Celtic manager was sacked as Middlesbrough manager last night, his former player having scored the stunning opening goal in Saturday's 3-2 loss at Barnsley that ultimately cost him.
That defeat proved the final straw for the Middlesbrough board, the club's lowly position of 16th in the Sky Bet Championship after just two victories in their first 12 league games of the season just too much for a club with promotion aspirations to bear. Mark Venus, who assisted Mowbray at Celtic and Hibernian, will take charge on a temporary basis, starting with Friday evening's fixture with Doncaster Rovers, with a successor to be appointed in due course.
A statement released on the club's official website confirmed the news, and added: "The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Tony for all of his substantial efforts, dedication and integrity. He leaves with the very best wishes of all at the club."
Former West Bromwich Albion manager Mowbray has been unable to guide Middlesbrough out of the second tier in his three seasons in charge. He finished 12th, seventh and then 16th last season, while things are panning out little better during this campaign. He will justifiably point to the cost cutting that has characterised his Riverside tenure since replacing Gordon Strachan but those protests fell on deaf ears among the Middlesbrough hierarchy.
Mowbray started his playing career with the club in 1982 and was named captain aged 23. He led them back to the top flight in 1988 via consecutive promotions and amassed 348 league appearances in a nine-year spell.
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