CAIRO: Middlesbrough coach Gordon Strachan has ruled out the possibility of Egyptian striker Mido staying at the club next season.
Mido sought to join Ajax Amsterdam in the close season but the Dutch giants could not reach an agreement with Middlesbrough over his transfer.
He has recently launched a scathing attack on the English second-division club, accusing them of trying to force him out to avoid paying his financial dues.
Middlesbrough have now decided to dispense with the 27-year-old along with French midfielder Didier Digard and Dutch forward Marvin Emnes.
"They will not be playing here this year," Strachan told the club’s official website.
When asked whether he was trying to sell the out-of-favor trio, the Scottish coach said: "It’s up to themselves, I don’t decide people’s futures.
"I speak to them and say, ‘Listen, you’ve got assets and things you are good at and I’m sure there are teams out in Europe who will need those assets’.
"As far as I’m concerned – and I’ve told them this – the group I’m working with is not going to include them and life’s like that sometimes.
"You have to pick a squad of 25 now and we’ve picked our 25 now and they’re not included.
"I hope they get a club that will suit their play and personalities because I don’t like to see players not playing football."
Mido has joined Middlesbrough in the summer of 2007 but his stint at the Riverside was blighted by injury and fitness problems.
He had three loan spells with fellow English sides Wigan Athletic and West Ham and Egyptian club Zamalek during his stay at Boro.
Mido said recently he was ready to stay put and help the club gain Premier League promotion if he did not find a suitable offer elsewhere.
However, he could now be forced to look for another club amid reported interest from several Turkish sides including league champions Bursaspor.
