THIS time last year Jonathan Woodgate was making a name for himself in broadcasting, impressing as a co-commentator and pundit.

He was a regular on 5Live and the BBC planned for the former defender to be part of their team covering the World Cup in Qatar in December.

But those plans had to change, for Woodgate had some unfinished business to tend to. As much as he was enjoying the media work, it's on the training pitch and dealing with players where Woodgate feels most at home. And he was never going to turn down the opportunity to return home, to Boro, when it presented itself in October.

Woodgate's return as first team coach was something of a surprise given he'd managed the club just a couple of years earlier. Ego might have prevented some coaches or managers from taking a job in those circumstances - but not for proud Teessider Woodgate.

From the minute Michael Carrick and Woodgate sat down to discuss the possibility of the latter supporting the former Manchester United midfielder when he was set to take the job, the pair, who knew each other from their playing days, clicked.

And while Carrick understandably received the plaudits for his superb work in leading Boro away from the relegation zone to the Championship play-offs, he's taken every opportunity to talk up the work of those around him - not just Woodgate but all of his coaching and support team.

And it isn't just the head coach who appreciates Woodgate's work. The players - particularly the defenders - love tapping into the former Real Madrid man's knowledge and experience.

“He’s been exceptional, especially for us as defenders," said Darragh Lenihan, who was the stand-in skipper at the back end of the season when Jonny Howson was sidelined.

"The work he does with the defensive unit - not just the defenders but the goalkeepers and midfielders included - is really detailed and really thorough.

"Danksy (Aaron Danks) as well, is another really top coach, with Fetts (Alan Fettis) as well, the goalkeeper coach. All in all, the coaching team we have here are really, really good and have been great since they’ve been here."

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That's echoed by Carrick, who said of Woodgate: “He’s been absolutely crucial from the start. It tells you everything about who he is and what he stands for, the fact that he would come back and give everything.

"He’s obviously from here and the club means a lot to him. That’s shone through. I’ve relied on him a lot and leant on him a lot over a period of time. He’s been unbelievable, I couldn’t praise him enough.

"Around the place and around the players, he just has a knack of saying things at the right time. People pick it up, and he’s got that personality that everyone loves. He’s a big influence."

It helps that Woodgate has what Carrick describes as a "genuine connection" with the club - as does former promotion winning captain Grant Leadbitter, another key member of the coaching and support team. Carrick, too, is from the North-East, of course. And there are more: head physio Chris Moseley has been at the club more than 20 years, sports science guru Nick Allamby is in his second stint at Boro having returned last year and well-respected senior analyst Phil Hudson is a Teessider.

Carrick said: “I think you have to do that. I think you have to understand what people are after, what people want and what type of team and feeling the supporters want from the club.

"That genuine connection is important, and you can’t buy that. You can’t fake it. We’ve got that connection. You can’t always have it, and I understand that. I’m not saying it’s everything, but I think it’s important to have some sort of connection and understand what the club and supporters need."