Alan Browne to return to Middlesbrough? New update drops | OneFootball

Alan Browne spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough will be aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League again next season after coming within one win of the top flight.

The Teesside outfit occupied a top two spot for much of the campaign, but fell to fifth by the final game.

Kim Hellberg’s side lost 2-1 on aggregate to Southampton in the play-off semi-final, but were granted a place in the final anyway due to the Saints being expelled from the competition.

But a 1-0 loss to Hull City ended their hopes of a Premier League return for good, with Oli McBurnie’s stoppage time strike separating the clubs.

Boro will now be keen to strengthen their first team squad over the summer in a bid to go one step further in their pursuit of promotion.

This will be Hellberg’s first pre-season in charge at the Riverside, and he will be keen to make his stamp on the team after joining as head coach last November.

How Middlesbrough feel about signing Alan Browne

Action Images

According to The Northern Echo, Alan Browne will not be returning to Middlesbrough for next season.

The midfielder spent the season on loan with Boro, where he made 38 regular league appearances for the side.

He arrived from Sunderland after helping the Black Cats gain promotion to the Premier League, and he has now returned to the Stadium of Light.

And while it’s expected he will leave the Wearside outfit, a return to Middlesbrough is not believed to be on the cards.

Browne joined Sunderland as a free agent in 2024, and has a contract with the club for another 12 months, but it remains to be seen where he will ply his trade in the next campaign.

How Middlesbrough fans feel about Alan Browne decision

Middlesbrough fans have made it clear that the decision to not pursue another deal for Browne is one they are fine with, suggesting he isn’t good enough for Hellberg’s team.

Supporters believe that the team needs players above the midfielder’s quality in order to contend for promotion again next season.

His goal and assist against Stoke City on 21 January was cited as the last time he made a significant contribution to the team, further reinforcing the idea that he isn’t good enough.

However, there was some pushback against this, with one fan claiming that someone like Browne could provide the club with some positive strength in depth.

But it now remains to be seen what the future holds for Browne following Boro’s decision.

Action Images

Alan Browne is not good enough for Middlesbrough’s ambitions

Browne proved a solid addition to the Boro side last year, but improving on that will be necessary in order to stay competitive in the Championship.

The Irishman has been unable to prove himself as a top talent at this level, and he would be taking up a squad role at the Riverside, if he was to be brought back.

With uncertainty surrounding Hackney’s future, Middlesbrough will need improvements on their other options from last season to make up for his possible absence.

While Browne may be able to offer something from the bench, Boro might be better off gambling on somebody young and inexperienced for that role to try and bridge the gap to the top teams in the division for next season.