Alan Fettis has broken his silence after leaving Middlesbrough, posting a message of thanks following his exit as first-team goalkeeping coach.
Boro confirmed the departure last week and have asked academy head of coaching Chris Pennock to cover the role while a permanent appointment is made.
Fettis thanks staff and stoppers after three-year spell
Fettis joined from Manchester United in 2022 and worked under multiple head coaches on Teesside, helping to oversee a department that has included senior and loan goalkeepers across the past three seasons. In a statement, he paid tribute to colleagues and the keepers he has coached at Rockliffe.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Middlesbrough Football Club for three wonderful years. It has been a privilege to work as goalkeeping coach alongside such dedicated staff, talented players, and passionate supporters.
“A special mention must go to the goalkeepers I’ve had the pleasure of working with… Each of you has made the role incredibly rewarding.
“Learning works both ways, and I certainly have learned a lot from all of you… Middlesbrough will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish the club every success in the future.”
EFL Championship
The club announced Pennock will take the gloves department on an interim basis while recruitment for a successor gets under way. The move ensures continuity for Rob Edwards, whose side have made a positive start to the Championship campaign and will want stability around match preparation and set-piece routines.
Continuity now the priority for Rob Edwards
With a demanding schedule ahead, Boro will aim to make a considered appointment without disrupting first-team rhythm. Pennock, highly regarded within the academy structure, has worked with emerging prospects and senior keepers on crossover sessions, offering familiarity with club standards and training detail.
Fettis’ exit draws a line under a period of change in the coaching group over recent months, but the fundamentals remain the same: consistency on the training ground, clarity around distribution patterns and starting positions, and strong relationships between the goalkeeper unit and the defensive line.
Writer’s View
This looks like a clean break handled with professionalism on both sides. Fettis departs with goodwill and a strong reputation, while the interim handover to Pennock keeps the session-to-session work ticking without fuss. Given Boro’s early momentum under Edwards, the key here is fit rather than speed.
A measured appointment that aligns with the head coach’s approach to build-up, pressing triggers and set-piece detail should be the target, even if it takes a little time. Get that right and the transition should be seamless.
