Neil Warnock takes over at Luton's relegation rivals Middlesbrough

Neil Warnock faces the press after Cardiff's match with Luton earlier in the season

Luton Town's relegation rivals Middlesbrough have announced that head coach Jonathan Woodgate has been sacked and replaced by the experienced Neil Warnock this morning.

Boro resumed their Championship season with a humbling 3-0 defeat at home to Swansea City on Saturday, a result that saw them drop to fourth bottom in the table, just five points above Luton.

That was enough for the board to act, dismissing the 40-year-old former Spurs and Real Madrid defender, who had been appointed last June.

In his place comes Warnock, 71, who has a 40-year managerial career behind him, with spells at Leeds United, QPR and Rotherham United to name just three sides, his last job at Cardiff City, who he let in November 2019.

A statement on the Boro website said: "MFC can confirm that head coach Jonathan Woodgate has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

"Jonathan was relieved of his role on Tuesday morning and will be replaced by the experienced Neil Warnock.

"Warnock will assume responsibility immediately.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jonathan for all his work in the role of head coach."

Middlesbrough travel to Stoke City this weekend.