Jonathan Woodgate will not let Middlesbrough's management affect his personal life

Jonathan Woodgate is determined not to let his new job hurt his family life.

The Middlesbrough head coach said it was crucial to leave management when he came home from work.

Woodgate has two young children and wants to be part of their childhood.

"I made sure I had to turn off, I have two children at home, a seven-year-old and a two-year-old who want attention, so I have to give them that. He said before his first competitive match in Luton.

"I think it's important to turn off. As soon as I walk out the door (at home), I have to put it aside, I really have to try to do that, otherwise I would go crazy.

"It's important to be able to rest and breathe with your kids, go out into the garden and go to the park with him and teach him how to ride a bike. That's how you try to free yourself from this cauldron because that's what it can be. "

Talk to any manager or head coach and they will tell you how difficult the job can be.

It is a potential vocation that includes every minute.

Woodgate, who has worked with some of the most experienced football coaches, is well aware of the pitfalls.

He said, "You can not get lost in all this, you have to spend time with your children and try to forget things.

"It comes from advice and reading different things from different managers. I think it's really important for the future.

"Listen, when the league starts, it may be a little different, but I'll try to do it. If we won a match or lost a match, let's see how I handle it at that time, but I think it's important to do it as a father as well.

"I want to see my kids growing up, I want to see them doing those nice things like learning to bike or making Rice Krispie cakes or ice lollypops, I think it's important to have this version. "

Woodgate lives in Middlesbrough, so it's not as if he could avoid the fans when he gets home after a busy day at Rockliffe or a day off.

That said, he says it's still possible to get away from work when he wants to, and the fans he meets treat him with respect.

He said, "I can escape, do not worry about it, I can escape, no problem.

"You do not end up in the middle of Stewart Park with your child on a bike, is not it?

"If I run the school, everyone will be very polite to be honest with you," he added.

"All parents in the school are really good. If they come and ask for autographs or photos, that's part of the job, I've been doing it since I was 17 years old. "