Aitor Karanka staying put as Middlesbrough focus on final games

Aitor Karanka has resumed his duties as Middlesbroughs head coach with immediate effect (Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire).

There had been much speculation that the Spaniard would leave the Riverside after a failed attempt to smooth over a bust-up ahead of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Charlton, which he missed.

But, in a statement on the club website on Monday night, Boro said: “Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that head coach Aitor Karanka will be resuming first-team duties with the club with immediate effect. We have 10 games left this season and as a club we are fully focused on what remains of our Championship campaign.”

Karanka reportedly left the training ground unexpectedly on Friday following a meeting.

Boro remain in second in the table despite the Charlton defeat, which meant they have won just three of their last 11 games and have taken only 12 points from a possible 33.

There is also an ongoing debate over Karanka’s use of £9m January signing Jordan Rhodes, who had started just four times in eight appearances and has scored a single goal since his arrival from Blackburn ahead of the Charlton game, which he started.

Karanka did not take Middlesbrough training on Saturday, with Steve Agnew in charge for that and the trip to The Valley as well.

The Spaniard had tried to smooth things over on Saturday just a day after reportedly walking out following a stormy meeting with his players.

Sources close to Karanka, who has previously found himself at odds with former assistant Craig Hignett and midfielder Albert Adomah during his 28-month reign, claim he arrived ready to apologise for his part in the disagreement.

Things did not work out that way and the club released a statement revealing Agnew would be in charge of the team at Charlton.

Agnew refused to use Karanka’s absence as an excuse for the loss, saying: “The preparation before the game was fine, that is no excuse for the performance.

“We’ve got to move forward, we’ve lost the game 2-0 and didn’t perform well.”

Just two days later Karanka has returned to his duties and will take charge in the home game with Hull City on Friday, when another loss would see Boro surrender second place in the table to the Tigers.