Middlesborough manager Lennie Lawrence had quit his commentary box role as a TV match pundit. He was reportedly deeply disappointed by the hostility that his match comments had aroused amongst Newcastle and Sunderland supporters.

He was under an additional pressure since Boro’s recent slip towards the relegation zone of the league. Newcastle was in a strong position to get promoted to the premier league the next season and Lennie felt that it was best to part ways rather than fuel further tension between the tee side and the tyne side clubs.

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