Former Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere has insisted that the club need to be patient with Jonathan Woodgate, and that they have the squad to challenge for promotion next season, speaking exclusively to 888sport.

The North East club went in a different direction to that of before, when appointing Woodgate as their new manager earlier on this summer following the departure of Tony Pulis.

Woodgate had been part of Pulis' coaching staff for the last few years, and is now set to take his first steps in management with the club he made over 110 appearances for as a player.

Aliadiere is no stranger to Woodgate nor to Boro - the French forward scored 12 goals in 86 games for the Teesside club during a three-year stay at the Riverside, after arriving from Arsenal in 2007.

Speaking exclusively to 888sport, Aliadiere spoke about the appointment, whilst insisting that Woodgate needs time to succeed at the Riverside.

"I think Middlesbrough need to be patient with Woodgate and understand this is his first job as a manager and that it isn’t going to be easy for him. I am reminded of when Gareth Southgate took charge at Middlesbrough as player-manager and in the first season we only did all right and in the second we were relegated. It is a tough job."

"He is a local lad but ultimately he will be judged on results and I hope they do well. They need to start well to get confidence and that offers the right platform to work. I want to see Middlesbrough back in the Premier League as soon as possible."

Boro have not been too active in the transfer window thus far, bringing in just the one signing in the form of ex-goalkeeper Tomas Mejias, who arrived on a free transfer from Omonia Nicosia.

But Aliadiere also insisted that Boro have a squad capable of challenging for promotion, despite being relatively quiet in the transfer window thus far.

"I still think Middlesbrough have the squad to challenge for promotion. They came close last year and they need to draw on that experience and accept that expectation and believe they can do it. They can finish in at least the top six and gain a play-off spot."

Boro kick off the Championship campaign with a trip to newly-promoted Luton Town in less than a fortnight, where Woodgate will be looking to get his managerial career off to the perfect start.

Read the full 888sport interview with Jérémie Aliadière here!

The Verdict

I think it will be a very interesting season for Middlesbrough, as Woodgate prepares to manage for the very first time.

In my view, I think that he could be an inspired appointment by the club - he knows the players like the back of his hands already, and he's likely to bring fresh ideas to the squad.

The football under Pulis was dire, but I think that if he can implement a high-paced, attractive brand of football at the Riverside, then they could be in for a great season.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard didn't have any managerial experience before going to Rangers and Derby respectively, and they have been very impressive thus far.