George Friend says it was a "smart move" by Middlesbrough to bring his former teammates Jonathan Woodgate and Grant Leadbitter back to the club this year.

Former defender and manager Woodgate returned last month as first team coach to assist Michael Carrick, while popular ex-captain Leadbitter rejoined the club as individual development coach in the summer.

Since Carrick's appointment, Leadbitter has stepped up to support the first team coaching staff while Boro work on finalising the arrival of another coach, which is understood to be imminent.

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Friend knows both Woodgate and Leadbitter well, with the trio all part of the 2015/16 promotion winning team on Teesside, and as well as their experience and knowhow, Friend says the duo's connection with the club and understanding of the area is priceless.

“To have Grant and Woody back at the club I think is really positive and, because they’re two contrasting characters really, quite a smart move," said Friend, now a player-coach at Birmingham City.

“Sometimes you need that balance and a difference in personalities in your staff. Michael (Carrick) has obviously got an incredible reputation in the game and is a very calm person and a great leader, by all accounts. So I think it’s a very bright future.

"I think as well, when you know people there personally, you want them to do extra well because there is that personal element. I obviously always keep a close eye on it and look out for the result every game, which is something that I‘ll always do. I hope they have all the success."

Woodgate and Leadbitter are just two of the former Boro players who are now back at Rockliffe as members of staff. Lee Cattermole is the lead coach of the Under-18s, while only last week Joe Fryer returned as Academy goalkeeping coach, the latest example, says Friend, of Boro ensuring there's club DNA in the staffroom.

Friend said: “What the club does brilliantly is employ people who have a connection with the area and the club.

"It’s not outsourced or freelanced to certain people who don’t have that connection. The chairman is big on that.

"So there are people in the academy who were maybe released at 16, but they go and get coaching badges and come back to coach in the academy because they know what it means and they have that love for the club.

"I remember what it was like and the chef is kicking every ball with us and is as happy, if not happier, when we win. It’s that culture that makes it so successful and the whole area is built on that."

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