GARETH Southgate last night revealed how a difficult start to his managerial career left him questioning his decision to succeed Steve McClaren in the Middlesbrough hot-seat.

But two years on from his appointment, Southgate is now regarded as one of the most promising managers in the English game, even earning the plaudits of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has touted the former Boro skipper as a future England manager.

The 37-year-old didn't think twice when he was offered the chance to manage Middlesbrough, having enjoyed a successful five years at the club as a player, where he captained the Teessiders to their first major trophy in 2004.

But his transition from player to manager has been anything but smooth and the former England defender revealed there was an element of uncertainty when he first took on the role.

Middlesbrough claimed just one win from their opening seven league games at the beginning of the 2006/07 season under Southgate.

And with his appointment already overshadowed by a row over his lack of coaching qualifications, the omens did not look good.

He said: "During the first year I did think at times, is this for me?

In hindsight I had no preparation for it at all.

"It was an enormous challenge and a huge ask. I wouldn't have recommended putting someone else into the position I was put into.

"I do think you need more time to learn the ropes and experience things. But one of the things the chairman (Steve Gibson) has backed is my own ability to learn quickly.

"Whether we have suffered as a club because of that, that is something for him to decide."

Southgate's appointment caused controversy when he succeeded McClaren without the relevant coaching qualifications required to manage in the top flight. Twenty-two months into the job, Southgate is still working towards his Pro Licence.

And, while he may have already proved his managerial credentials by consolidating Middlesbrough's position in the Premier League, Southgate remains determined as ever to prove his critics wrong.

"I can understand why there were doubters," said Southgate.

"People have worked all the way through their courses and then to see me get a job must have been hard to take.

"You know that there are a lot of people out there who would like to see you fail, saying Oh, he should never have been given the job in the first place'.

"There were people at the FA who helped us, and the Premier League who helped me get the badges.

"I only did it here because of my feeling for the club and the relationship with the chairman was such that he wanted to take a chance with me. I may have played another year."