MIDDLESBROUGH last night won support from an influential fans' spokesman over the collapse of World Cup winner Juninho's proposed return to the Riverside Stadium.

Only four days after the Boro faithful feared they might lose manager Steve McClaren to Leeds, talks with the Juninho camp dramatically broke down.

The Brazilian's father and advisor, Osvaldo Giroldo Snr, insisted the deal was off after he failed to agree personal terms on Juninho's behalf.

But Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, was adamant he would rather have England coach McClaren than Juninho.

"We all hope the Juninho thing isn't dead,'' said Nichols.

"But we nearly lost Steve McClaren to Leeds last weekend, apparently. That would have been the real nightmare.

"If it came to a choice between having McClaren or Juninho, I would choose the manager every time.

"The main thing is that McClaren is manager. Players want to work with him because he's a really good, young coach who will develop them.''

Giroldo had flown into Teesside for talks with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb, but was last night making the long haul back to Sao Paulo.

Juninho's demands and Boro's new wage structure, which came into force last season, ultimately proved prohibitive.

Boro, who had agreed an undisclosed fee with Atletico Madrid, say they made Juninho an "attractive'' offer and were last night publicly refusing to give up the fight to bring the crowd favourite back for a third spell.

But Giroldo seemed unequivocal when he revealed the deal had foundered and that Atletico, who signed Juninho from Boro for £12m five years ago, wanted to revive the 29-year-old midfielder's career in Spain.

"We have had friendly discussions but we will not be making a deal,'' said Giroldo.

"I came here for talks but there has been no deal. The offer they have made is not what we wanted and I will be returning to Brazil.

"This is all part of business - I understand Middlesbrough's situation. They have certain limits and Juninho didn't fit into them.

"I have spoken to Atletico and they want Juninho to come back to play for them."

Many feel Boro face an angry backlash from supporters who have already bought season tickets in the mistaken belief that Juninho's return was virtually assured.

But Nichols urged fans to be realistic. "I'm really gutted about it and I think a lot of fans will be very disappointed,'' he said.

"People have been getting quite excited about it in the last week.

"We know there is a wage ceiling at the club. I believe Juninho was on about £50,000-a-week at Atletico. He's been on loan in Brazil for two years and he hasn't been paid half the time.

"He's won the World Cup and is obviously now looking for a big contract somewhere.

"You can see his reasons and you can understand Middlesbrough's reasons for not wanting to jeopardise the wage structure.

"If the fans who have bought season tickets are annoyed, they don't follow football. Agreeing the fee with Atletico was always going to be the easy part.

"But nothing is signed and sealed and you can't take anything for granted. Maybe people might feel aggrieved, but they shouldn't.

"What we have to do now is get another pivotal player to build the midfield around.''

Nichols hopes this week's club record £8.15m signing of Italy striker Massimo Maccarone from Empoli will help cushion the Juninho blow.

"We've got Maccarone who looks exciting,'' said Nichols. "He can score goals and a lot of people wanted to sign him.''

* Boro were last night being linked with Lyon's 26-year-old midfielder David Linares.

Earlier, Boro confirmed that Frenchman Michael Debeve's contract had not been renewed, but that they would keep tabs on the former Lens midfielder.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.