Jonathan Woodgate facts for kids
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Woodgate as an assistant manager for Middlesbrough in 2025.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Simon Woodgate | ||
| Date of birth | 22 January 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Nunthorpe Athletic | |||
| Marton | |||
| 1993–1996 | Middlesbrough | ||
| 1996–1998 | Leeds United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1998–2003 | Leeds United | 104 | (5) |
| 2003–2004 | Newcastle United | 28 | (0) |
| 2004–2007 | Real Madrid | 9 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Middlesbrough (loan) | 30 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Middlesbrough | 16 | (0) |
| 2008–2011 | Tottenham Hotspur | 49 | (2) |
| 2011–2012 | Stoke City | 17 | (0) |
| 2012–2016 | Middlesbrough | 57 | (2) |
| Total | 310 | (9) | |
| International career | |||
| 1997 | England U16 | 1 | (0) |
| 1997–1998 | England U18 | 7 | (0) |
| 2000 | England U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 1999–2008 | England | 8 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2019–2020 | Middlesbrough | ||
| 2021 | AFC Bournemouth | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Jonathan Simon Woodgate (born 22 January 1980) is an English football manager and former player. He played as a centre-back.
Woodgate started his career at Middlesbrough as a young player. He then moved to Leeds United when he was sixteen. Later, he joined Newcastle United in 2003. His strong performances, even with some injuries, caught the eye of Real Madrid.
In 2004, Real Madrid signed him, but injuries made it hard for him to play much. On his first game for Real Madrid, he accidentally scored a goal for the other team and was sent off. After playing a few games for Real Madrid, he returned to his hometown club, Middlesbrough, first on loan and then permanently.
In 2008, Woodgate moved to Tottenham Hotspur. He scored the winning goal for Spurs in the League Cup final against Chelsea. He played many games in the 2008–09 season. More injuries limited his playing time, and he left in 2011 to join Stoke City. After one season at Stoke, he went back to Middlesbrough and played there until he retired in 2016.
After retiring as a player, Woodgate became a coach. He worked for Middlesbrough in different coaching roles. In June 2019, he became the manager of Middlesbrough. He managed the team for about a year before leaving in June 2020. In February 2021, he joined AFC Bournemouth as a coach and then became their caretaker manager. He managed them until the end of the season but left in June 2021. In October 2022, he returned to Middlesbrough as a first-team coach.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting at Leeds United
Jonathan Woodgate began his football journey at Middlesbrough. However, he moved to Leeds United at age sixteen. He helped Leeds win the FA Youth Cup in 1997. In October 1998, he played his first game for the senior team.
Woodgate was a strong player for Leeds. He competed with other great defenders like Rio Ferdinand. He was seen as a very talented player from Leeds' youth academy. During his time, Leeds played in big European competitions like the UEFA Cup and Champions League.
He faced many injuries, which reduced how often he could play. Leeds United later had money problems. Because of this, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle to help the club financially. Many Leeds fans were upset because he was a key player.
Time at Newcastle United
Woodgate joined Newcastle United in January 2003. He quickly became a favorite among the fans. He played very well, especially in a 2004 UEFA Cup semi-final match against Marseille. He did a great job stopping their star player, Didier Drogba.
Sadly, a serious injury ended his season early. He could not play in the second game against Marseille, and Newcastle lost.
Playing for Real Madrid
In August 2004, Woodgate signed with Real Madrid in Spain. Many people were surprised by this move because he often had injuries. He was also injured when he joined the club.
Woodgate did not play any games for Real Madrid in his first season. He finally made his debut on 22 September 2005. This game was against Athletic Bilbao. It was a tough start for him, as he scored an own goal and was later sent off.
He scored his only goal for Real Madrid on 19 October. It was a header in a Champions League game against Rosenborg. By February 2006, he was playing regularly. However, more injuries kept him from playing again.
Returning to Middlesbrough
On 30 August 2006, Woodgate joined his hometown club, Middlesbrough, on a one-year loan. He played his first game for them on 9 September against Arsenal. He was even named "man of the match" by a local radio station.
In April 2007, Middlesbrough signed him permanently for £7 million. He signed a four-year contract. In October 2007, he was named "North East Player of the Year." During the 2007–08 season, another injury led to him being transferred to Tottenham Hotspur.
Success at Tottenham Hotspur
Woodgate joined Tottenham Hotspur on 28 January 2008. He made his debut two days later. On 24 February 2008, he scored his first goal for Tottenham. It was a header in the League Cup final against Chelsea. This goal won Tottenham their first trophy since 1999. He was named "Man of the Match" for his performance.
He scored his first league goal for Spurs on 19 March 2008, also against Chelsea. He became a vice-captain for the team. Woodgate faced more long-term injuries, which limited his playing time. He played only a few games in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons. Tottenham released him in June 2011.
Time at Stoke City
Woodgate signed a one-year contract with Stoke City on 11 July 2011. He wanted to get his career back on track. He made his full debut for Stoke in a UEFA Europa League game. He also played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League against Chelsea.
His performances were mixed. He was sometimes dropped from the team. In one game, he was substituted early after struggling. His contract with Stoke ended on 30 June 2012. He decided to return to Middlesbrough.
Final Years at Middlesbrough
Woodgate rejoined his hometown club, Middlesbrough, on 6 July 2012. He signed a three-year contract. He scored his first goal in his second spell for Middlesbrough in a 4–1 win against Charlton Athletic on 3 November.
On 10 February 2015, he scored in a 2–1 win against Blackpool. This win sent Middlesbrough to the top of the Championship table. He was a substitute when Middlesbrough lost the play-off final to Norwich City. In July 2015, he signed a one-year extension. After playing only one game in the 2015–16 season, Woodgate left Middlesbrough in May 2016 and retired from playing football.
International Career with England
Woodgate was first called up to the England squad in April 1999. He was named for a friendly game against Hungary. However, he got injured and had to withdraw. In May 1999, he was called up for Euro 2000 qualifiers.
On 9 June 1999, Woodgate made his debut for England in a 1–1 draw against Bulgaria. He started the game. He was later not allowed to play for England for a while due to a court case. This meant he missed Euro 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
On 2 September 2002, manager Sven-Göran Eriksson called him back to the England squad. He earned his second cap in a 1–1 draw against Portugal. He played in two more Euro 2004 qualifiers. Injuries continued to affect his chances. He won his fifth cap in a friendly against Sweden in March 2004. A thigh injury then ruled him out of the Euro 2004 tournament.
After almost three years, England manager Steve McClaren called Woodgate back in February 2007. He played in a 1–0 defeat against Spain. He was named in Fabio Capello's first England squads in 2008. In May 2008, he was part of the squad for friendlies against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago. He won his seventh cap against Trinidad and Tobago. On 20 August, he earned his eighth and final cap in a 2–2 draw against the Czech Republic.
Coaching Career
Coaching at Middlesbrough
After retiring, Woodgate worked as an international scout for Liverpool in Spain and Portugal. On 31 March 2017, he became an assistant coach at Middlesbrough. This was under caretaker manager Steve Agnew.
After Middlesbrough was relegated from the Premier League, Woodgate left his assistant role. He then joined the club's Academy coaching staff in June 2017. He was an assistant coach for the under-18 team. In December 2017, he returned to the first team as an assistant coach under manager Tony Pulis.
In May 2019, Woodgate was the only coach from Pulis's staff to stay. This made him a top choice to become the new manager. On 14 June 2019, Woodgate was officially named the new manager of Middlesbrough. He signed a three-year contract. He wanted the team to play more attacking football.
Middlesbrough had a mixed start under Woodgate. They were near the relegation zone in the Championship. Fans were worried, but the club chairman supported him. December 2019 was a good month for the team. They won four games and moved up the league table. Woodgate was named the Championship Manager of the Month for December.
During the winter transfer window, Middlesbrough signed several new players. However, the team's form dropped again. They fell back towards the relegation zone. Woodgate was sacked as Middlesbrough manager on 23 June 2020. The club was just outside the relegation zone. Neil Warnock replaced him.
Coaching at AFC Bournemouth
On 1 February 2021, Woodgate joined AFC Bournemouth as a senior first-team coach. Two days later, he became the caretaker manager after the previous manager was sacked. On 21 February, he was given the head coach role until the end of the season.
Bournemouth played well under him, winning six out of seven games. They secured a spot in the play-offs. Woodgate won the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award for April 2021. Bournemouth finished 6th in the league. They entered the play-offs but lost to Brentford. Woodgate left the club in June 2021 when his contract ended.
Return to Middlesbrough (Again)
After some time away from coaching, Woodgate returned to Middlesbrough in October 2022. He became a first-team coach under new manager Michael Carrick. He left the club with Carrick in June 2025.
Personal Life
Jonathan Woodgate grew up supporting his local team, Middlesbrough. He looked up to Gary Pallister as his football hero.
In 2000, Woodgate was involved in a court case related to an incident outside a nightclub. He was found guilty of affray and given community service. This incident also led to him being banned from playing for England for a period.
Woodgate is married to Natalie Downing. They have two children. Natalie is the sister of Stewart Downing, who also played for Middlesbrough and England.
Honours
As a Player
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League Cup: 2007–08
Individual Awards
- Middlesbrough Player of the Year: 2006–07
- Alan Hardaker Trophy: 2008 (Award for the best player in the League Cup final)
As a Manager
Individual Awards
- EFL Championship Manager of the Month: December 2019, April 2021
See also
In Spanish: Jonathan Woodgate para niños
