GARETH SOUTHGATE'S first season in management has been a learning experience - and the Middlesbrough boss admits mistakes have been made in handling Fabio Rochemback.
Despite interest from two of the biggest clubs in Portugal, Rochemback looks destined to stay at the Riverside Stadium next season after finding form in the final two months of the campaign.
The Brazilian, who had aired his discontent while angling for a move away from Teesside in January, has set his sights on remaining with Boro.
At the time of Rochemback's on-off move to Sporting Lisbon at the turn of the year, most would have been glad to see the back of the former Barcelona man.
And Southgate, who went almost three months mid-season without selecting the creative midfielder, concedes he could have done more to help the player feel more at home.
But, having realised the error of his ways in his failure to help Rochemback settle in the North-East, Southgate is confident a change of heart means the 25-year-old is no longer looking to leave.
"Maybe earlier I should have played Fabio at different stages to fit him in but I didn't," he said.
"Fabio was very good in the last eight games of the season and he enjoyed it. I spoke to him before he left for home for the summer and he has bought a house here now and is looking forward to coming back. He is not one who I am thinking about moving on."
After playing in the goalless draw with Liverpool on November 18, Rochemback did not figure again until the trip to Chelsea on February 10. Even then it was as a substitute six minutes before full-time.
In time, however, Southgate was impressed enough to start him in every game from the trip to West Ham on March 31 onwards.
And the boss is hopeful Rochemback, with a full pre-season under his belt, will show the sort of form that made him one of the best attacking midfielders in Portugal.
"Fabio wasn't happy in January but the thing about Fabio is that all he wants to do is play," said Southgate. "If he's left out it's harder for him because he is only here to play football. Others here and in this country have their whole lives here, their families are here and he doesn't have that. He has nobody else here.
"He had a good run towards the end of the season and he played well. We want him to stay and I sense that he is far happier with the way things are going."
Southgate - linked with a move for South African keeper Rowen Fernandez - remains on the look out for at least one new striker and one who got away feels Charlton have better long-term prospects than their North-East counterparts.
The Addicks, relegated from the Premiership, agreed a £2m fee with Crewe Alexandra for Luke Varney.
And Varney, who hit 25 goals for Crewe, said: "My agent also spoke to Middlesbrough and Norwich. But Charlton want to bounce back to the Premiership and as soon as I knew the ambition was there, there was no question that I was going to sign."
Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere now heads Southgate's shopping list.
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