Malcolm Christie pens emotional statement as he confirms exit from Middlesbrough coaching role

Malcolm Christie
-Credit: (Image: evening gazette)


Former Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie has announced his departure from the club's academy, where he spent the last two years coaching.

Christie was coaching youth players in the Boro academy for the last two years while studying for his coaching badges. He achieved his UEFA A-Licence this summer and has now announced his Boro departure as he looks to move into full-time professional coaching.

Writing on Instagram, Christie wrote: "Two years ago I made a decision to go back to the club that is, and always will be, close to my heart. For anyone that knows my story, it was an incredibly hard decision to step back into a training ground that I had left in tears back in 2007.

READ MORE: Ex-Middlesbrough striker Malcolm Christie insists he was never injury prone and left 'bitter and angry'

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"However, today has marked the last day that I will coach at Middlesbrough. I've decided now is the right time for me to leave and explore my coaching journey elsewhere. A huge thank you to all the talented kids that I've had the pleasure of coaching within the academy.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed working through the age groups and learning from some excellent coaches along the way. I leave the club a better coach, gaining the highest possible practical qualification, and more importantly, a better person, using my past experiences as lessons. Hungry for the next challenge. "

Rising from non-league to sign for Derby County, Christie signed for Boro in February 2003. Injuries would ultimately blight the former England U21 international's time at the Riverside, he played a crucial role in the run to the 2004 Carling Cup final, scoring the winning goal against Brighton in the second round.

Speaking to our sister site Derbyshire Live this summer, Christie said: "I've just completed my UEFA A license and I am chuffed to bits with that. I've really enjoyed that side of things. It helps me talk about football very differently than it was when I was a player.

"The only badge above is the pro-license, which you only need if you're managing in the Premier League so I've come as high as I can in a very short space of time. But, and there is a but here, it hasn't really left me with the opportunities that I was hoping would open for me.

"I'm very open wherever that opportunity is, however, that looks whether it be full-time in academies or back in first team environments. It's not easy. It's not easy just to go, okay I've got all this experience, I've done so much in my football career, I've played at the highest level internationally, I've played with all these players, I've learned the game and I've got the highest coaching qualification other than the pro licence - and I can't get a full-time job.

"It is difficult because I was out of the game for so long. These players who finish their careers and are at a similar level in terms of qualification, know everyone. They've got the agents. They've got the qualifications. They know the players they might have played against or someone they coached with.

"I've always kind of left my door open. I'm not so narrow to say, well, I live in the North East, so it has to be at Middlesbrough or it has to be at Leeds or it has to be at Sunderland. I'll just keep trying until that door is suddenly ajar and then you walk through it."