Southgate was axed on Wednesday after 3 1/2 years in charge at Riverside.
Fergie said: “The manager is always going to be the scapegoat, no matter what.
“You scratch your head at what has happened to Gareth Southgate.
“He’s a young manager and only had three years in the job after going straight in from being a player – three years is not an apprenticeship.
“Steve Gibson has got a great reputation as a chairman but on this occasion he has surprised people and only he can explain his reasons.”
