Middlesbrough backroom team boosted as key figure returns from Tottenham

MIDDLESBROUGH'S backroom team has been boosted by the return of popular John Thrower, who has rejoined from Tottenham.

Thrower spent nine years at Boro and worked his way up to become the first team's strength and conditioning coach before leaving for Spurs in January, 2022.

But he's now rejoined Middlesbrough and will be part of the backroom set-up heading into the new season.

Thrower got straight to work with the players, who returned to Rockliffe today for the start of pre-season. The squad are undergoing a series of tests in the gym and on the pitch today as preparations for the coming Championship campaign ramp up in the coming weeks.

The return of Thrower, who was the first team strength and conditioning coach at Tottenham, will go down well with the players. He was a hugely popular figure during his previous spell at the club and players gave him a memorable send-off on the pitch at Bloomfield Road after a Championship win at Blackpool in what was his final game at the club.

Thrower's return is part of a minor reshuffle behind the scenes, with the make-up of Carrick's coaching team also set to change after the exit of Aaron Danks last week. Boro were last week given permission to speak to Graeme Carrick, Michael's brother and Newcastle United youth team coach.

READ MORE:

• Aidan Morris' emotional US goodbye - and what his boss has told him to expect at Boro

• Middlesbrough left-back and Ryan Giles latest with transfer stance clear

Not all of Boro's first team squad were back at Rockliffe for the first day of pre-season, with Anfernee Dijksteel, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Finn Azaz, and Seny Dieng given an extra week off following international duty.

Delano Burgzorg has met his new teammates for the first time following his move from Mainz 05, while Luke Ayling is back at Rockliffe after making his loan switch permanent.

They'll be joined through the door by Aidan Morris, who had an emotional send-off in what was his last game for Columbus Crew over the weekend.