Middlesbrough v Manchester United: Aitor Karanka fell on his sword, claims Boro supremo Gibson

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has revealed Aitor Karanka 'sacrificed himself' after failing to drag the club out of their relegation tailspin.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2017, 17:26 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:05 BST
Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)
Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)

The Spaniard parted company with Boro, who sit in 19th place in the Premier League table, on Thursday three years and four months into his reign following lengthy talks with Gibson.

However, Gibson has insisted that thr 43-year-old left of his own accord.

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He said: “I know people are cynical when you say that a decision was mutual, but he wasn’t sacked. He sacrificed himself.

“We agreed that a different approach is required. Aitor is tired, he has worked so hard for our football club over the last three- and-a-half years and the tension surrounding the end of last season would have taken its toll on anyone. Then we had a very busy summer.

“He was working his socks off trying to bring players in and he hasn’t really had a break since the minute he walked through the door. What we concluded – he and I – was that he perhaps wasn’t the guy at this point in time to deliver that change.

“He’s in a good frame of mind. I think he’s relieved. He has been enormous for our club. He has progressed us and he will have learnt an enormous amount from this experience.

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“He’s got a wonderful future in football – I really think that.”

Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)
Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)

Karanka’s No 2, Steve Agnew, has been placed in charge of team affairs ahead of tomorrow’s game with Manchester United, and Gibson will not make any snap decisions over a long-term appointment with 11 games of the season remaining.

On the merits of the Yorkshireman, he said: “I’ve known Steve a long time. He’s a very good coach and a very good number two. There’s more to him than people know and a bit more steel.

“Steve could be a surprise number one. That may disappoint those people who want glamour and somebody to come in ready-made, a sexy name, but that’s not what we need at this point.

“I want to find out about Steve.”

Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)
Steve Agnew takes Middlesbrough's training session for the first time as the club's caretaker head coach (Picture: Andrew Varley)
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Boro have announced that former Leeds United and Scotland striker Joe Jordan will assist Agnew.

Vastly-experienced Jordan, 65, latterly worked alongside Harry Redknapp at QPR, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth and has managed Hearts, Stoke City and Bristol City.

Goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad, analysts Juanjo Vila and Guillermo Salinas have left the club.

Related topics:MiddlesbroughManchester UnitedPremier League