During his time at Norwich City, Kieran Scott had first-hand experience of the dugout qualities of Jonathan Woodgate - and has told of his delight at the Teessider's Middlesbrough return.

Former boss Woodgate returned to his hometown club to assist Michael Carrick as first team coach, with Aaron Danks also arriving last week to complete what Scott hopes is the "perfect" trio at the Riverside.

Woodgate has captained and managed Boro and cares deeply for the club, important says Scott, but it's his tactical know-how and experience that the club's head of football believes can prove invaluable.

READ MORE: Breakdown of Middlesbrough FC accounts as income boosted and losses down

Former Boro, Newcastle and Real Madrid defender Woodgate has experienced the highs and lows of management, enduring a difficult season on Teesside before going on to impress during a stint in charge at Bournemouth.

It was when Woodgate was in charge of the Cherries that he caught the eye of an impressed Scott, who was in the stands at Carrow Road when top of the table Premier League-bound Norwich were stunned 3-1 by Bournemouth late in the 2020/21 season.

"He's a very good coach," said Scott of Woodgate.

"I'd seen him at Bournemouth and heard good things. The year we went up with Norwich, Bournemouth were on our tails so you naturally hear things.

"I saw him in work. They beat us 3-1 at Carrow Road that year at a time when nobody was beating us at Carrow Road.

"They had good players, don't get me wrong, but you could see what he was trying to do. I could see he'd learnt a lot from his Middlesbrough days even at that point, and he's had even more time now."

Scott continued: "One thing that he really brings is the Teesside blood, which I felt was missing. I felt the club needed that and there's no denying that element with Jonathan.

"He's a very good coach,  He's a bloke first and foremost, there's nowhere to hide with him, and I really like that.

"He's a good coach, the players respect him, he has the best interests of Middlesbrough in his heart all the time. He cares deeply for the young players coming through. He brings loads and he's the perfect balance to Michael."

Carrick and Woodgate were last week joined by Danks, who swapped Aston Villa for Boro, with the trio enjoying the opportunity of some prolonged training ground work with the squad ahead of this week's game against Luton Town.

READ MORE: