Ex-Middlesbrough coach lifts lid on his exit and the 'biggest disappointment' of his coaching career

Just over a year has passed since the former Hartlepool United favourite left Boro after being told the club wanted a change of direction at the start of Jonathan Woodgate’s reign as manager, Woodgate has, of course, also now left with the club battling relegation from the Championship.

Stephenson’s departure left the 52-year-old and many others shocked following a successful two years in charge of Boro’s second string.

Stephenson coached the likes of Aynsley Pears, Lewis Wing, Marcus Tavernier, Hayden Coulson and Djed Spence, who have since gone on to become first-team regulars.

Reflecting back on his Boro exit, Stephenson told the Mail: “It was a massive shock - it was probably the biggest disappointment of my coaching career.

“I don’t think I could have done anymore than what I did. My job remit when I joined was to move players up to under-23s level and into first-team level.

“They had a great philosophy at Middlesbrough, put in place by David Parnaby for years and that has carried itself throughout the ages.

“It had been a few years since they had produced quite a few players for the first-team - so it was a little bit of a challenge as well. The other thing was ‘let’s get them a career if they don’t make it here’.

“To do what I thought was a good job and to get released, it hurt. But one thing I did comfort in was the messages I got from people.

“There were scouts saying: ‘it’s the biggest disgrace ever’. I was really taken aback by it but as I know because I’ve been in the game a long time, in football you move on quickly and you’re quickly forgotten!

“They were a great bunch but they’ve all moved on now. I’ve kept in touch with a few of them but it’s onto the next one - that’s how football works.”

Stephenson was quickly snapped up by Blyth Spartans to become Lee Clark’s assistant at the National League North club.

He is now awaiting his next opportunity, although admits a ‘what if’ scenario still follows him with certain youngsters at Boro.

He added: “I’m proud of the job I did there, helped by some really good people, but equally, there were some players in the next batch that I felt I could perhaps help get into the first-team.

“If those players don’t make it then there will definitely be a ‘what if’ there with me but that’s the challenge you set yourself as coach. I always think ‘I can change his mentality a bit’.

“I don’t think you’re ever going to make brilliant footballers from 18-23, they are more or less what they are but you can change their attitudes and desire - just get that little bit more out of them.

“I certainly think we did that in the two years I was there.”