Middlesbrough can bounce back from play-off blow, says former star

A former Middlesbrough player who helped Hull City secure promotion at Wembley has backed his old club to recover from their own play-off disappointment. The ex-star, now a pundit, believes Boro's squad and manager can mount another challenge next season.

Context: How the former star helped Hull City to Wembley success

The former Middlesbrough man played a key role for Hull City in their Championship play-off final victory. He provided an assist in the 2-1 win over Coventry City, ending Hull's eight-year exile from the Premier League. His experience of success at Wembley contrasts with Middlesbrough's semi-final defeat to Luton Town.

Middlesbrough finished fourth in the Championship, five points clear of Hull, but lost 3-2 on aggregate to Luton after a 1-0 home defeat. The former star noted that Boro had the second-best defence in the league (conceding just 46 goals) and a strong home record.

Impact: What this means for Middlesbrough and the former star's analysis

The ex-player stated Middlesbrough must keep key players like Chuba Akpom, who scored 28 league goals this season, to bounce back. He warned that losing Akpom or midfielder Hayden Hackney would be a major blow but praised the club's recruitment model under head coach Michael Carrick.

  • Middlesbrough have retained Carrick, who has a 57% win rate, and already signed two players for the new season.
  • The club's average attendance of 27,000 shows strong fan backing for another promotion push.
  • Hull's success shows a play-off final win after a semi-final exit the previous year, similar to Boro's trajectory.

What's next: Middlesbrough's path to redemption

Middlesbrough start the 2025-26 season on August 9 with a home match against Sheffield United. Carrick will aim to strengthen the squad further, targeting a winger and a centre-back. The former star predicted Boro will finish in the top three next season, learning from this year's play-off heartbreak.

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