Former Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate named as Middlesbrough first team coach

Jonathan Woodgate has been named as Middlesbrough first team coach as Steve Agnew builds his coaching staff after the departure of Aitor Karanka as the manager of the Premier League club.

His spell in the capital of Spain did not go to plan and he only played a handful of times across three seasons. The writing might have been on the wall for the 37-year-old in his debut when he scored an own-goal and he would continue to be dogged by injuries during his spell in La Liga.

He returned to England and continued to play for another decade with two stints at Middlesbrough with stops at Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City sandwiched in between. The defender retired from football after Middlesbrough were promoted to the Premier League in May of 2016.

Fantastic character

The former Real Madrid defender, who represented England's senior side on nine occasions "is someone who we know very well, and who in turn knows this club inside and out," according to Agnew speaking to the club's website.

“He brings a wealth of experience from the highest level of the game, and he’s a fantastic character. We’re delighted to have him on board,” Agnew continued.

Follow the coverage match of the week 29 of the Liga Santander between: Real Madrid-Alavés