, The highs and lows of Karanka’s reign

The highs and lows of Karanka’s reign

Middlesbrough remain hopeful that the club can persuade Manager Aitor Karanka to stay and help the Teessiders secure a long awaited return to the Premier League.

With talks between the club and the Spaniard ongoing, The72 looks at the highs and lows of Karanka’s managerial reign at The Riverside Stadium.

After working under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, Karanka’s arrival on Teesside brought fresh hope for the future for Boro and the Spaniard certainly didn’t disappoint after implementing his own brand of attractive passing football.

Karanka was appointed Boro manager in November 2013 and managed to steer the club to an improved 12th place finish in the Championship after the club had recorded a dismal 16th place finish in the previous season. The club ended the 2013/2014 season with six wins from their final eight league fixtures leaving supporters with plenty of optimism for the 2014/2015 season.

The 2014/2015 season was an exciting one as Karanka took the Teessiders to the Championship Play Off Final. Karanka made some shrewd permanent signings such as the additions of Spanish duo Tomas Meijas and Kike mixed with effective loan signings like Tomas Kalas and Patrick Bamford.

Boro were in the promotion race throughout and Karanka also brought the best out of his side in the cup competitions with an away FA Cup victory at Manchester City and a 14-13 penalty shootout defeat at Anfield against Liverpool particular highlights. One dark point was the Championship Play Off Final defeat at Wembley against a Norwich City side who were simply better than their opponents on the big day making light work of Karanka’s Boro.

The Spaniard’s excellent use of the transfer market continued again this season with the impressive summer signings of David Nugent, Christian Stuani and Stewart Downing bringing a real expectancy of promotion amongst supporters. Following the big money January signing of striker Jordan Rhodes, Karanka did come under criticism from some supporters who were frustrated by the lack of playing opportunities given to the new signing with the club failing to win a number of league matches.

The club have again had spells of exceptional league form this term with a nine match run of clean sheets over the Christmas period leaving many wondering whether Middlesbrough’s promotion push could be stopped. Under Karanka Boro also reached the League Cup Quarter Finals beating Manchester United on penalty kicks at Old Trafford along the way.

Since a surprise defeat at Bristol City in mid January things have gone sour for Boro in the Championship with the club winning just three of their 10 league matches following the Ashton Gate loss. Tuesday evening’s late 1-0 defeat at Rotherham United angered Karanka with the Spaniard questioning his players’ desire to play at the top level. The situation has hit a real low point with Karanka threatening to walk away from The Riverside and leave the club’s promotion hopes in danger of complete derailment.

An important few days are ahead for Boro with many fans wanting the rollercoaster ride to potential promotion to continue with Karanka still at the helm.

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