Sport 05-12-2000 El Tel Signs Up For Boro who: Terry Venables what: To be coach of Middlebrough FC where: Riverside Stadium, MIDDLESBROUGH when: Yesterday snippet: "In a u-turn startling even by Middlesbrough`s standards," says The Independent`s Tim Rich, "Terry Venables yesterday agreed to join the club as first-team coach until the end of the season." Venables, who has not working in professional football since leaving Crystal Palace in 1999, arrived at the Riverside to sign a £1.5million six-month deal, says The Sun`s Colin Young, "then headed straight back to London". Boro manager Bryan Robson, who has presided over seven defeats in the last eight games, will remain in his position and "continue to dictate buying and selling," says The Evening Standard, while "Venables will select the team". But in spite of weeks of speculation and ten days of negotiations, he will not start work until the end of the week because he has to be on ITV`s panel of commentators for Manchester United`s Champions League game against Sturm Graz tomorrow night. He is further committed to TV appearances until March or April, says The Mirror, "particularly if three English teams reach the quarter-finals". "I haven`t actually seen Boro in the flesh this season," admitted Venables yesterday, but they have sent me loads of videos which I`ve been watching." "I want what`s best for this football club," commented Robson. "At this moment in time, this is the best we could do". [... more]

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