Middlesbrough boss Kim ******* berg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after their draw against Burnley.
For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Latest Middlesbrough news, ******* ysis and fan views

#written

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire after their draw against Middlesbrough.
For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Latest Burnley news, **** ysis and fan views
Ask about Burnley - what do you want to know?

#radio #Lancashire #middlesbrough #latest

Burnley have signed Leeds United forward Largie Ramazani on loan until the end of the season with an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer.
The 25-year-old Belgian joined the Whites from Spanish side Almeria in August 2024 and scored six goals in 29 league appearances as they won the Championship ***** le.
He spent last season on loan with La Liga side Valencia.
"I have experience from playing in this league and creating that winning environment, so I'm hoping I can bring something to the team on and off the pitch," he told the club website.
The Clarets, who host Middlesbrough on Wednesday, have taken just one point from their opening three Championship games after being relegated last season.

#championship #last #burnley #leeds

The two sons of a police officer killed in a crash on Teesside will lead out the Manchester United team as mascots for Sunday's Premier League match against Ipswich at Old Trafford.
PC Matthew Blades, described as a "proud Red" by United, was a regular at Old Trafford. The club have paid tribute to him in Sunday's match programme. His widow will attend the game with their children.
PC Blades and his colleague PC Tom Clough died in a head-on collision between their police car and a vehicle going the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesbrough early on 22 August. Five people in the other vehicle also died.
United said they learned of the deaths of the two officers "with great sadness".
"Matthew was a proud Red, a devoted family man and a police officer who dedicated his life to helping others," said the club, in a tribute in the programme.

#united #trafford #matthew #proud

Bromley have signed experienced midfielder George Saville from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.
The 33-year-old made 38 appearances in League One for Luton last season, scoring two goals.
He began his career with Chelsea and made permanent moves to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall, Middlesbrough and back to Millwall before joining the Hatters in the summer of 2025.
Saville is the latest arrival in what has been a huge squad overhaul for Bromley since they won promotion to League One last season.
The length of Saville's deal is undisclosed.

#saville #undisclosed

Middlesbrough boss Kim ***** berg says Ashley Phillips is still some way from making his debut for the club.
Phillips was left out of Boro's squad for Saturday's defeat at Blackburn as he continues to build up his fitness and is unlikely to feature in Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster.
Asked how far the defender is from being ready to play, ***** berg initially replied: "Far."
Pressed on whether Phillips could make his first appearance against Doncaster, ***** berg added: "I don't think [Doncaster], maybe next Saturday. He's a bit away."
But ***** berg hopes David Strelec will "hopefully" return to the squad for the trip to Doncaster.

#middlesbrough #blackburn

Manchester United begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a trip across the country to take on Hull City. Michael Carrick starts his first full season as manager having impressed during his interim tenure last season.
A mixed pre-season campaign has seen the squad come through it relatively unscathed with only Mason Mount suffering a significant injury which is likely to keep him on the sidelines. United have also replaced Casemiro with midfield reinforcements Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans while they are negotiating to bring in Brighton's Carlos Baleba as well.
The Red Devils' opponents are Hull City who won promotion from the Championship via the play-offs. Hull finished 6th in the second division with 21 wins from their 46 games but only won one of their last seven league matches before victory in play-off rounds against Millwall and Middlesbrough in the final.
Hull vs Man United LIVE: Team news and latest updates as Carrick's side take on newly-promoted Tigers
Their aim for the season is to secure their place in the top-flight and any points they can take of United in this opening encounter will be beneficial for the rest of their season. Here's everything you need to know:

#season #take #league #only

Hull City return to the Premier League for the first time in nine years on Saturday, hosting Manchester United at the MKM Stadium in the opening fixture of the 2026-27 season.
Sergej Jakirović's side reached the top flight the long way round — sixth in the Championship, a play-off semi-final win over Millwall, then Oli McBurnie's stoppage-time winner against Middlesbrough at Wembley.
Manchester United arrive under Michael Carrick for his first full season in permanent charge, having finished third last season and secured a return to the Champions League. Hull have never beaten United in ten previous Premier League meetings, winning just three of 18 across all competitions.
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Kick-off: 12:30 BST

#league #united

Hull City returns to the Premier League on Saturday after a nine-year spell in the lower leagues, and their reward is an opening day clash with giants Manchester United.
Hull got back into the promised land of the Premier League after qualifying for last season's Championship play-offs on the final day of the regular season, followed by wins over Millwall in the semi-finals and Middlesbrough in the final. They've been busy in the transfer market, bringing in 14 new players to help them with the rigours of elite football. The Tigers started last season as Championship relegation favourites and conceded 66 league goals, the fourth-highest, along the way. To say it was a surprise that they reached the playoff final, and then won it, would be an understatement.
Much will depend on playoff final hereo Oli McBurnie, the scorer of 19 goals last season.
In the second half of the 2025-26 season, United were one of the best sides in Europe under caretaker boss Michael Carrick. The former United midfielder transformed their fortunes after a dismal first half of the campaign under Ruben Amorim. The 44-year-old inherited a squad that sat 10th in the table and turned it into a side capable of beating ******* nal, Liverpool and Man City in the ******* e of four months. That run of 12 wins, three draws and two defeats from 17 Premier League matches earned him a permanent two-year deal.
A net spend of £55m in the summer has seen midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans join from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively. United will be playing Champions League football for the first time in three years and that will undoubtedly place extra pressure on their playing personnel.

#championship

Everton begin their 125th top flight season and the second at their new Merseyside home against last year's Europa Conference League champions Crystal Palace.
The Toffees go into the game cautiously optimistic after some bright moments in pre-season. Their remains frustration however at a failure to address key issues in the transfer marker and the uncertainty over the future of David Moyes as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
The late season collapse is also fresh in people's minds, with the opportunity of European football thrown away thanks to a winless seven-game run to close out the season.
New signings include last season's Championship Player of the Year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, an energetic number eight who can hopefully add some incisiveness even from the deeper midfield position he's been deployed at so far. Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl turned their loan stints into permanent deals. Christian Norgaard looks to be a savvy signing from ****** nal to replace Idrissa Gueye, while Brennan Johnson adds pace and dynamism following his Dwight McNeil swap deal with Saturday's opponents Palace.
The yawning hole in the squad though remains right-back, a position Everton have failed to adequately address for years. That failure had hung over the Toffees' summer and the overall mood of the fans at the end of the window will like rest on whether they address it.

#season #everton #year

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has criticised pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after they mocked his side's chances of Premier League survival on a podcast.
Speaking on The Dressing Room podcast, former England and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said he had turned down the chance to be a pundit for their opening match - adding he would be "stunned if they stayed up".
He joked: "They've come here through the back door. They've slipped in."
Hull achieved promotion to the Premier League with a last-minute win over Middlesbrough in the play-off final at Wembley in May.
This season will be Hull's first in the Premier League since 2017. They only survived relegation from the Championship to League One on goal difference in 2025.

#league #podcast #acun

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Hollywood owners of English second-tier side Wrexham, have restated their ambition for the club to win the Championship **** le and so complete a remarkable journey from National League to the Premier League.
Wrexham begin their 2026/27 Championship campaign with a Welsh derby away to Cardiff on Monday, having narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last term after finishing seventh in the regular season.
They went into the final day in sixth place, but a 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough allowed Hull to leapfrog Wrexham into the play-offs, with the Tigers going on to win promotion to the Premier League.
Deadpool star Reynolds said he felt "obscene pride" at Wrexham's league finish and co-owner McElhenney has underlined their determination to reach the top flight after playing in the fifth tier of English football as recently as 2023.
"What we say (to players) is we want to win –- and we want to win right now," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" creator McElhenney told the Men in Blazers video podcast.

#english #want

Inter Milan have completed the signing of Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur, with the defender agreeing a five-year contract with the Serie A champions.
The 26-year-old has joined Inter for a reported fee of around €30 million (£25.6m), bringing his four-year spell in north London to an end. Spence will remain at San Siro until June 2031.
Spence arrived at Tottenham from Middlesbrough in 2022 and went on to make 85 appearances for the club. He played an important role in their Europa League triumph during the 2024-25 campaign, while making 44 appearances across all competitions last season.
His future at Spurs had been uncertain despite manager Roberto De Zerbi previously expressing a desire to keep him. The emergence of Pedro Porro, who recently signed a new contract, alongside the arrival of Andy Robertson from Liverpool, increased competition for places in defence.
Spence has also gained experience outside England, spending time on loan with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa.

#Inter #TOTTENHAM #appearances #djed

"Spurs will always have a place in my heart", wrote Djed Spence before his move to Inter Milan was confirmed on Saturday.
Spence has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions, who are reportedly paying a fee of around 30m euros, external (£25.6m) for the 26-year-old.
He joined Spurs for an initial £12.5m from Middlesbrough in 2022 and made 85 appearances for the north London side, helping them to win the 2024-25 Europa League ***** le.
"A special chapter comes to an end, It's been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I'll carry with me for forever, especially that night in Bilbao," he posted in a farewell message to Spurs supporters across his social media accounts.
"Thanks to all the staff members who've helped me along the way, the players who've become family and most importantly thank you to the fans. Time for a new chapter now, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart."

#chapter

Middlesbrough head coach Kim **** berg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after their Championship season-opening win against Lincoln City.
For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Latest Middlesbrough news, **** ysis and fan views

#radio

Middlesbrough, who currently have three USMNT players in their squad, kick off their Championship campaign against Lincoln City on Saturday.
Boro missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season after losing in the play-off final but have been busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to finally get over the line.
On that front, USMNT players Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten have secured moves to Teesside from the MLS.
The duo made their Middlesbrough debuts last week in the Carabao Cup against Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's Wrexham, while Berhalter has been named in the starting XI for their first Championship game of the season against Lincoln City.
Arfsten is also in the squad and is starting on the bench, but there is no room in the side at all for fellow USMNT player Aidan Morris, who is injured.

#lincoln #arfsten

Folarin Balogun has given the green light to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to French journalist Santi Aouna. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club want to sign the AS Monaco striker, and the former ****** nal forward is open to joining them. However, Spurs have yet to table any any official bid, but talks are ongoing between the North London club and Balogun's camp. The 25-year-old American did not get an opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League while with the Gunners.
He spent time on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough and in Ligue 1 with Reims. The Tottenham target left permanently in 2023 to join Monaco but is now relishing a chance to return to England and prove himself. Balogun ended last term with 19 goals in 43 games for the French club and could be the perfect competition and cover that Spurs need for Dominic Solanke.
The Englishman is struggling with fitness issues and Tottenham simply need to sign another striker this summer.

#TOTTENHAM #hotspur

Wrexham got their competitive 2026/27 campaign underway last week, suffering their first defeat of the season.
The Red Dragons travelled to Middlesbrough in the first round of the Carabao Cup and lost 1-0, exiting the competition as a result.
Striker Sam Smith had a good chance to open the scoring on the night, but his effort was saved well.
Now, with some firepower lacking in Wrexham's attack, there is talk that they could land Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United.
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images

#middlesbrough #carabao #smith #united

David Moyes is at the Hill ***** inson Stadium and Goodison Park with the Toffees. Everton have made an official enquiry about Bournemouth attacker Marcus Tavernier, exploring the parameters of a potential summer move, according to Ben Jacobs.
The Toffees have opened dialogue with the player's representatives to gauge his interest in a move to Merseyside, but have yet to hold talks with Bournemouth.
Tavernier has become a key and versatile player since joining Bournemouth from Middlesbrough in 2022. Able to operate across both flanks, as an attacking midfielder, or in a box-to-box role, his tactical flexibility makes him an attractive target for Everton as they look to build squad depth ahead of next season.
Last season, Tavernier enjoyed one of his most productive Premier League campaigns, recording seven goals and four ***** ists in 34 appearances, while creating 54 chances to lead Bournemouth's playmaking metrics. His work rate, ball-carrying ability, and set-piece threat make him a crucial figure for the Cherries.
Despite Everton testing the waters with Tavernier's representatives, striking a deal with Bournemouth will be challenging. The South Coast club are under no financial pressure to sell, having tied Tavernier to a contract until June 2029. Furthermore, with European football ahead after a sixth-place finish last season, Bournemouth are unlikely to part with a key player at this stage of the window.

#season #move #representatives

The Carabao Cup will welcome Chelsea, Tottenham and other Premier League teams into the competition in the second round after the competition kicks off over the weekend.
The Blues are the headline act entering the fold after their failure to qualify for Europe last term, with Xabi Alonso hoping to set the tone in his bid for debut-season silverware. After only just avoiding relegation in 2025/26, London rivals Spurs are also in the draw.
Before the draw, 68 EFL sides will seek to come through the first round unscathed - though it isn't the maiden Carabao Cup outing of the season for all, with Rochdale and Crawley Town already having to go through a preliminary round to reach this opening stage.
Featured ties of the first round, taking place from Thursday to Monday, include West Ham's meeting with Portsmouth, a Devon derby between Plymouth and Exeter, while a battle of Championship promotion-chasers will go down at the Riverside Stadium when Middlesbrough host Wrexham.
The second round will remain regionalised with the draw split into southern and northern sections.

#draw #carabao #first #premier

Wrexham's first competitive outing of the 2026/27 season ended in disappointment.
The Red Dragons were in first-round Carabao Cup action against Middlesbrough on Friday evening at the Riverside Stadium, having previously drawn 2-2 with Boro in their final game of last campaign.
As this was a cup match, it could not end in a draw, and Wrexham ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to a goal from Will Lankshear.
Now, manager Phil Parkinson has shared his verdict on the defeat, including the moment Sam Smith was booked for simulation.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

#carabao #wrexham

Southampton's sporting director has indicated the club is prepared for a potential Football ******* ociation ban for manager Tonda Eckert after the 'Spygate' scandal, while still hoping for a positive resolution.
The Saints have already faced severe penalties, including expulsion from the Championship play-off final and a four-point deduction for the upcoming season.
These sanctions followed the club's admission of three EFL regulation breaches for illicitly monitoring semi-final opponents Middlesbrough and two other teams.
Eckert accepted full responsibility for the affair, a position publicly backed by Southampton owner Dragan Solak.
The German manager now faces three FA charges under Rule E3.1 for "misconduct".

#final #Football #spygate #saints

Josh Windass and Ben Sheaf are unavailable for Wrexham's Carabao Cup first round encounter with Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium on Friday night (20:00 BST).
Forward Windass - who netted 17 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign with the Red Dragons last term - did not feature in any of Wrexham's pre-season friendlies due to a calf issue.
Midfielder Sheaf was also a notable absentee for his side's summer fixtures against Wisla Krakow, Manchester United, Leeds United, Liverpool and Sunderland.
"Josh is still not where he needs to be yet, which is frustrating for us," said manager Phil Parkinson.
"Sheafo is making decent progress.

#josh #sheaf #stadium #Friday

It's all change on the goalkeeping front at Manchester United.
With Senne Lammens back at pre-season training and expected to be involved in Saturday's encounter with Paris St-Germain, United have sanctioned the exit of Radek Vitek and Altay Bayindir.
Vitek made it perfectly clear when he spoke to the media after the first pre-season game against Wrexham in Helsinki nearly three weeks ago that he expected to leave, and wasn't bothered whether it was a permanent deal or a loan.
Well, it is permanent, to Championship side Middlesbrough, for a fee that could reach £14m.
United have also included a buy-back clause and also a sell-on if, as they expect, Vitek continues to impress. The 22-year-old scooped all the Bristol City player of the year awards last term, after previously impressing during loan stints in Austria and with Accrington Stanley.

#back #loan

Tony Pulis believes Cardiff City is a massive club that would grace the Premier League, but warns they will need to step up a level as they return to the Championship after a season in League One.
The experienced former Premier League manager - whose lengthy career included spells in charge at Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough - was impressed by the Bluebirds as they won promotion in their first season under boss Brian Barry-Murphy.
"Obviously Cardiff had a fantastic season last year and they get promoted back up to the Championship," Newport-born Pulis told Radio Wales Breakfast.
"They've got a massive challenge on next year. The Championship is getting stronger and stronger every season.
"You know, for me, Cardiff is a massive football club, always has been in my mind, and would definitely be a great addition to the Premier League, never mind the Championship.

#championship #season #club

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Ashley Phillips is closing in on a move to Middlesbrough.
According to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, Tottenham are in advanced talks with the Championship side over a deal for the forgotten defender.
Tottenham and Middlesbrough initially struggled to find common ground, but negotiations are now moving in a positive direction. It's only a matter of time before an agreement is finalised.
Spurs have already spent a fortune to revamp their squad this summer and have shored up their leaky backline with a few experienced and quality additions.
Marcos Senesi and Andrew Robertson joined Tottenham on a free transfer while Jan Paul van Hecke came in from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth around £60 million.

#deal #bridge

Everton have signed midfielder Christian Norgaard from ***** nal on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
The 32-year-old Denmark international has reportedly joined the Toffees for £7m.
Norgaard, who signed for ***** nal last year in a £15m deal from Brentford, was left out of the Gunners squad for a friendly against Real Betis on Wednesday.
He made 20 appearances for ***** nal in all competitions last season but just seven of those were in the Premier League, as the north London club won their first ***** le in 22 years.
Everton have also signed central midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough for £16.5m this summer, along with 20-year-old winger Tyrique George, who was signed from Chelsea for £18m having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Toffees.

#norgaard

Middlesbrough winger Jeremy Sarmiento said he is delighted to finally feel at home after making his move to the Riverside Stadium a permanent one.
The 24-year-old had been on five different loan spells since 2023 from his previous club Brighton & Hove Albion, including spending the second half of last season with Boro.
But after completing his switch in June, the Ecuadorian will hope to play an entire season at his parent club for the first time since 2022-23 when he did so with the Seagulls.
"I'm very happy. I'm delighted, my family also, to feel at home somewhere," Sarmiento told BBC Radio Tees.
"I've been on quite a few loan spells, so it feels good to finally settle in somewhere where you feel loved.

#finally #home

Manchester United are poised to offload two goalkeepers, with Radek Vitek set to join Middlesbrough in a deal potentially worth up to £14 million, while Altay Bayindir prepares for a loan move to Celta Vigo.
Vitek, a 22-year-old Czech shot-stopper, is nearing a permanent switch to last season's Championship play-off finalists Middlesbrough following an impressive loan spell at Bristol City.
The young keeper initially arrived at Old Trafford from Sigma Olomouc in 2020, having also spent time on loan at Accrington and Blau-Weiss Linz before his successful stint at Ashton Gate.
The Press ******* ociation understands that United have secured matching rights and a buy-back option as part of the agreement with Boro, which includes bonuses that could push the fee to £14m, alongside a sell-on clause of up to 35 per cent.
Meanwhile, Turkey international Bayindir, 28, is close to finalising a season-long loan to La Liga side Celta Vigo.

#celta #manchester #radek

Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek is close to completing a permanent move to Middlesbrough.
Vitek scooped all the Bristol City Player of the Year awards last season but returned to United for the start of pre-season.
However, the 22-year-old made it clear when he spoke to reporters in Norway last month he expected to spend the season away from Old Trafford.
"I'm ready to go somewhere again and hopefully be number one," he said.
Middlesbrough are one of a number of clubs keen to sign the Czech.

#radek