Southgate demands compo from Middlesbrough

Gareth Southgate is chasing compensation from former club Middlesbrough, it has been revealed.

The Mail on Sunday says Southgate will serve court papers on the club this week after failing to get his compensation money after being dismissed.

Southgate claims he was entitled to his full contract being paid out within 28 days of being dismissed, but Boro want to stagger the payments over two years, claiming he was 'relieved of his duties' rather than sacked.

The former England defender has the support of the League Managers' Association, who are unhappy that the money they believe is owed to Southgate is instead being used by the club to pay for loan signings Dave Kitson and Marcus Bent.

Southgate was sacked last month following a 2-1 win against Derby County that took them to within a point of the top of the Championship. His five-year contract was due to end in June 2011.