MIDDLESBROUGH NOTEBOOK WITH SAM GREENWOOD FUTURE HINT, SUMMER PRE-SEASON PLANS AND MORE

Middlesbrough have an option to sign Sam Greenwood this summer after his loan spell from Leeds United, but there has been a big hint that a decision has been made not to.

Head coach Michael Carrick held conversations with many players last week to discuss their futures, with Paddy McNair already confirming that his time at the Boro is coming to an end when his contract expires at the end of June. Taking to Instagram, he wrote a thank you and goodbye message.

Greenwood has also taken to the social media site this week to post his reflections on his season at the Boro. Posting a video of his Boro highlights - including the Goal of the Season against Leicester City - he wrote: "A club full of great people! Staff, teammates and supporters thank you for this season [Love heart emoji]. Full of ups & downs and I’ve loved every minute, time to rest up and recover."

While his own post offered no hints either way on his future, it was Boro team-mate Hayden Hackney who suggested that Greenwood's time at the club will come to an end. He replied to the post, saying: "Gunna miss you bro," with a crying face emoji. Both Alex Bangura and Josh Coburn wished the forward 'All the best' too.

Boro have an option to sign Greenwood for £1.5 million this summer, though that agreement is only in place with Leeds United and not the player, who could still be set for a bumper pay rise this summer if Leeds are successful in their quest to earn promotion via the play-offs.

However, while showing flashes of quality over the course of the season, Greenwood ultimately struggled to make quite the impact he might have hoped on Teesside. Though still only 21 and undoubtedly an interesting prospect for the future, the £1.5m transfer fee plus wage packet would be a significant one for a player who at best would be considered one for the future, which is what will likely see Boro look elsewhere this summer.

Pre-season plans

With the season now completed for Boro, the players have started their summer holidays, which are extended this season thanks to the slightly later start to next season. Right now, the focus for each player is on rest and recuperation after a tough season full of injury troubles.

But plans for pre-season are already signed and sealed for Boro, with full details to be announced in due course. It is understood, as has been the case in the last two summers, Boro will once again head to the Algarve in Portugal at some point over the summer for a training camp.

However, it's not known at this stage whether there will be any friendly game incorporated into that trip, having played an official friendly against Braga two years ago and then just a behind-closed-doors training match with Vitoria 12 months ago. The club will be expected to confirm the pre-season schedule in due course.

U21s heading to Germany

Also happening this summer, the Boro's under-21s - who lost their Premier League 2 play-off at Reading on Saturday to conclude their really positive season - will be heading to Oberhausen, Germany for a summer tournament that is described as an 'absolute highlight of the summer'.

The town is twinned with Middlesbrough and the tournament is to celebrate the 120-year anniversary of Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. It will be a two-day league taking place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July.

Fan group the Red Faction are encouraging Boro supporters to make the trip, saying: "This will be a great opportunity for fans to experience the German footballing culture, to build on Boro’s friendship with RWO and to enjoy a weekend away in Germany so we would love to see as many Boro supporters make the trip as possible!"

There's excitement in Germany to host Boro, even if it is only their second string, with Oberhausen sporting director Dennis Lichtenwimmer-Conversano telling the media there: “We need the right opponents. And I think I have a few exciting names in my cell phone – if they come, then it will be a real party. In Middlesbrough, we have a prominent opponent."

Future coaches

In an interview recently, Jonny Howson revealed that he was among a number of players and staff members currently taking their coaching badges at the club. As part of that, he discussed how Carrick had been helping them, regularly inviting them into coaching meetings and analysis work as part of their development.

Last week, the PFA made a social media post showing that it is Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith and Dan Barlaser who are currently working on their UEFA B coaching badge with Howson and members of the backroom team. The PFA running a bespoke course with Boro to help them achieve their badges.

The course saw the players supported by the club and coaching Boro's under-13s and 14s, which was no doubt an excellent experience for those young players too.

2024-05-07T12:32:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd