Gaizka Mendieta Reveals Shocking Hidden Rift with Gareth Southgate – What Really Happened at Middlesbrough?
Back in 2003, Middlesbrough pulled off an unexpected masterstroke by securing Gaizka Mendieta, a midfielder whose genius had illuminated Valencia’s golden era under Rafael Benitez. This wasn’t just any signing; it was the arrival of one of the most inventive playmakers of the previous ten years, a true catalyst for change at the Riverside Stadium. Mendieta’s initial loan spell soon turned into a permanent move, during which he played a pivotal role in guiding Boro to their maiden major silverware—the memorable 2004 League Cup triumph over Bolton Wanderers. His influence extended beyond domestic borders, as he spearheaded the club’s inspired UEFA Cup campaign just two seasons later. However, the tides shifted dramatically with Gareth Southgate’s arrival as manager, and what began as a dream chapter took a sour turn, ultimately prompting Mendieta to hang up his boots at the close of the 2007/08 season. Curious about how one of football’s brightest talents fell out of favor and what really went down behind the scenes? LEARN MORE
Middlesbrough’s 2003 move for Gaizka Mendieta was something of a coup at the time, as Boro were able to land one of the previous decade’s most creative midfielders, a player who was the fulcrum of Valencia’s turn-of-the century successes under manager Rafael Benitez.
The playmaker arrived at the Riverside Stadium initially on loan, helping the club win their first-ever major trophy when they beat Bolton Wanderers in the final of the 2004 League Cup before signing permanently and being a key player in their run to the UEFA Cup final two years later.
Mendieta on his Boro spell turning sour
“He had one year left on his contract as a player, I had two,” Mendieta recalls to FourFourTwo when asked about his relationship with the future England boss. “One summer he called to say he’d been offered the manager’s job.
“I congratulated him and said he’d have the dressing room’s support. But once the season began, he stopped counting on me and never explained it – he only gave me excuses.
“At one point I told him I thought he wasn’t being honest, and that I deserved honesty. If not, there was no point in me staying.”
So why did the 40-time Spain international believe that his manager was not being honest?
“I think it was down to inexperience,” he continues. “And it wasn’t just with me – it happened with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Juninho and Massimo Maccarone too.
“We realised the club wanted to refresh the squad. That would’ve been fine, but I’d have preferred if they’d just told me straight. What I didn’t like was being told I was part of the plans, then constantly left on the bench or in the stands.
“I remember there was a Basque Country friendly I wanted to play in, but Gareth asked me to stay because he wanted me to start, then he subbed me at half-time with no explanation.
“At the end of the season, I retired. Years later we crossed paths and he admitted he perhaps hadn’t handled it the best way. I hold no grudges.”
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