"He had one year left on his contract as a player, I had two, Mendieta recalls to FourFourTwo when asked about his relationship with the future England boss. One summer he called to say he'd been offered the manager's job. I congratulated him and said he'd have the dressing room's support. But once the season began, he stopped counting on me and never explained it he only gave me excuses."
"I think it was down to inexperience, he continues. And it wasn't just with me it happened with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Juninho and Massimo Maccarone too. We realised the club wanted to refresh the squad. That would've been fine, but I'd have preferred if they'd just told me straight. What I didn't like was being told I was part of the plan"
Gaizka Mendieta joined Middlesbrough in 2003 on loan from Valencia and later signed permanently. He played a central creative role, helping win the 2003/04 League Cup and contributing to the club's run to the UEFA Cup final in 2006. Mendieta had spent nine seasons at Valencia under Rafael Benitez before moving. Contract timelines left him with one year remaining while the manager had two. He was initially offered support by the new manager but soon found himself dropped and given excuses. Mendieta believed a lack of managerial experience prompted a squad refresh affecting several senior players and resented being told he remained 'part of the plan.' He retired after the 2007/08 season.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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