in the 1993–94 season, middlesbrough started promisingly with 6 wins from their first 12 league games and by near the end of october where in 3rd place but a poor run of just 1 win in their next 11 league games, saw middlesbrough slide down to 13th and end their hopes of automatic promotion which saw them finish in a disappointing 9th place and on 2 may 1994, lawrence confirmed his departure at the end of the season. upon leaving he helped young chairman steve gibson contact his replacement bryan robson.