Jonathan Woodgate has been a key figure at Middlesbrough for some time and helped improve the team this season.
Jonathan Woodgate had a long and storied career across England and Europe, which included several spells at Middlesbrough.
The Nunthorpe-born defender began his senior career with Leeds United but after spells with the Peacocks, Newcastle United and Real Madrid, was loaned to Boro during the 2006/07 season.
He then signed for the Teessiders on a permanent basis but only spent one campaign at the Riverside Stadium before moving to Tottenham Hotspur.
The now 44-year-old returned to the North East in 2012, playing for four years and helping Boro win promotion before retiring in 2016.
The former centre-back’s coaching career began on March 31st, 2017, when he was appointed as an assistant coach to Middlesbrough caretaker manager, Steve Agnew.
Woodgate was then appointed as the permanent manager of his boyhood club on June 14th, 2019.
Jonathan Woodgate role in Middlesbrough signing Ben Doak
Woodgate was sacked by the Teessiders on June 23rd, 2020, as the threat of a potential relegation from the Championship loomed.
He has since returned to Middlesbrough, being appointed as a first-team coach when Michael Carrick stepped into the dugout in October of 2022.
Prior to getting into coaching, the former Real Madrid stopper had a brief spell as an international scout for Liverpool in Spain and Portugal.
Now, speaking on the You Are My Boro podcast, journalist Dominic Shaw revealed that Woodgate’s connection to the Reds helped get a deal for Ben Doak done.
He said: “Boro and Liverpool have strong links anyway thanks to Jonathan Woodgate from when he was a scout there between his spells at the club which helped.”
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How Middlesbrough move for Ben Doak came about
Middlesbrough headed into deadline day needing to sign a centre-back to provide cover amid an ongoing injury crisis.
A new right winger was not on the cards at all following the arrival of Micah Hamilton earlier in the window.
As a result, Boro fans were likely taken by surprise when they learned of Boro’s interest in the Liverpool gem.
But on the same podcast, Shaw explained how and why Middlesbrough secured a loan move for Doak.
He said: “I think the one thing Boro have shown is that they are willing to act instinctively when they feel they require it and be flexible.
“And when the possibility of signing Ben Doak cropped up in the final days of the window, they quickly acted.
“From what I gather, Doak made it quickly clear he was keen on the Boro move as soon as he learned of interest.”