Former favourite warns Middlesbrough over Premier League promotion push

Former Middlesbrough star Gaizka Mendieta has warned his old club they must show ‘the right mindset’ if they want to return to the Premier League during the new season.

Kim Hellberg’s side came agonisingly close to ending Boro’s nine-year absence from the top flight when they missed out on automatic promotion in the final fortnight of the season before falling to a late defeat in the Championship play-off final against Hull City. The challenges that will await Hellberg and his players in the second tier during the 2026/27 season are all to obvious with relegated trio West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers all expected to challenge for an immediate return to the top flight - and the likes of Southampton, Wrexham, Millwall and Norwich City will also hope to be in the mix.

Boro’s preparations for the new season have already kickstarted with the signings of Hull striker Kyle Joseph and Oxford United attacking midfielder Myles Peart-Harris. A loan deal for Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento has been converted into a permanent switch to the Riverside Stadium and further new additions are being worked on as Hellberg looks to push for a top two spot once again. However, Mendieta, who was part of Boro’s Carling Cup winning side in 2004, believes Hellberg’s men will have to hit the ground running when the new campaign kicks off next month.

Mendieta told football betting site BetVictor: “Middlesbrough need to find their form and the mental strength to challenge for promotion again. I don't think that was the explicit plan last season, but they steadily found their rhythm. Talking about Championship promotion is one thing, but achieving it is another. They need to reach the play-offs with the right mindset and fitness levels. It is a very demanding league. It will be a busy summer, and I am sure they will want to challenge again this season.”

‘Most important factor’

The big story of Boro’s summer transfer window has been the departure of influential midfielder Hayden Hackney to Premier League club Everton after the Toffees saw off competition from a whole host of clubs to secure a deal believed to be worth an initial £16m. Mendieta has warned Boro they must replace Hackney with a ‘high-calibre player’ to prove their intentions to push for promotion once again this season.

The former Spain star said: “Middlesbrough is losing a huge figure in the squad. Hackney has great character. However, the coach is the most important factor as he sets the identity and style of play. They will need to sign players who fit that vision. Hackney worked well for the club's system. They need to sign another high-calibre player to show the fans and the opposition their intentions. When you sell a player for a significant fee, you need to reinvest in a player of that calibre to maintain your status. It’s a great signing for Everton, if he can adapt he can do great things there.”

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