Chris Wilder makes honest Middlesbrough admission ahead of summer transfer window

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has admitted that there is set to be a major rebuild at the club this summer following his side’s failure to qualify for the play-offs in the Championship.

Boro entered the final day of the 2021/22 campaign knowing that a victory over Preston North End may have allowed them to seal a top-six finish at the expense of Luton Town or Sheffield United.

Whereas both of these aforementioned clubs managed to seal victory in their respective fixtures, Middlesbrough produced an incredibly disappointing display in their showdown with the Lilywhites as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Deepdale.

An own-goal from Dael Fry and an effort from Alan Browne gave Preston a two goal advantage in the first-half of this fixture.

Whilst Marcus Tavernier’s header reduced the deficit for Middlesbrough following the break, the club’s hopes of getting something from this game were short-lived as Emil Riis netted a brace for the hosts.

Looking ahead to the summer, Wilder has admitted that he will need to make some alterations to his squad in order to have the best chance of guiding Boro to new heights next season.

Speaking to Teesside Live, Wilder said: “The issue I’ve had is I can’t come out and say what I really want to say because they’re still playing and giving everything.

“I don’t think, from a motivation point of view, the players would have taken too kindly to me saying, ‘give it a good go until the end of the season, but then I’m going to let a load of you go and there’s going to be a big rebuild.’

“But basically, now, there is going to be a big rebuild and I am going to let a load of you go, as you’ll see in the next couple of days.

“You’ll see [how big].

“From a work point of view, ideally I’d just like to