MIDDLESBROUGH'S failure to return to the North-East with the UEFA Cup could have longer lasting consequences, but Gareth Southgate is in no mood to start fearing the worst.

Defeat to Sevilla in Eindhoven on Wednesday means there will be no European football on Teesside next season, something they have come to expect after two successive continental campaigns.

The lack of such an attraction is sure to hinder the next Boro boss' persuasion powers in the transfer market, while the likes of George Boateng could see that as a deciding factor when making up his mind about signing a new deal.

But Southgate, trying to retain an optimistic outlook despite the crushing 4-0 defeat, feels there is plenty to be encouraged about at Middlesbrough, even though they are in a state of flux with McClaren destined for pastures new.

And he sees the prospect of a year away from European football as potentially a blessing in disguise.

"You have to look at what Steve McClaren has left behind and the period he has been here has been very successful," said Southgate, who previously stated it was the players' determination rather than the manager's motivational techniques which was behind the dramatic turnaround in fortunes since February.

"Steve Gibson has got this club into a fantastic position. Bryan Robson did a magnificent job and Steve took it to the next level.

"Whoever comes in has got a base to work from. Hopefully the best is yet to come. The chairman came into the dressing room after the game and said that no matter how difficult the defeat is to accept, everyone in the town will be very pleased with the players. On reflection, in the days to come, that will be the right message.

"I know the chairman will do the right thing for the club. His last two appointments have been spot on and we are in a very fortunate position to have somebody in charge who is going to make a very calm and rational decision."

He added: "Reaching the final of the UEFA Cup is a massive achievement but we have had nearly half a Premiership season - 15 games - to get to Eindhoven. Maybe it won't be a bad thing that we won't be in the UEFA Cup next season. As a squad, we have been stretched to the limit at times."

After McClaren had delivered his farewell speech to the team he has manufactured in his five years in charge on Wednesday night, Gibson then took centre stage.

It was only in January when McClaren, who officially takes over the England role on August 1, spoke of how the summer will be a time of transition at the Riverside.

As well as Boateng, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's contract expires next month and McClaren was looking to offload a number of experienced heads.

However, Gibson, who has already sounded out Martin O'Neill about the job and has been in touch with Terry Venables, has offered assurances to the players.

"There was not a lot to say in the dressing room because everyone was obviously very disappointed," said striker Mark Viduka. "The chairman came in and he was very positive in what he had to say.

"It is a bit of a summer of uncertainty. But what the chairman did say to us was that he wants a period of stability, or as much stability as we can have when the manager is leaving. That's enough for all us players. It's what we needed to hear."

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