Former Real Madrid assistant – and one-time Al Ahli target – Aitor Karanka has been unveiled as the new manager of Championship club Middlesbrough.

The 40-year-old Spaniard was announced this afternoon as the successor to Tony Mowbray, who was sacked last month after three years in charge.

"It is a very important day for me," Karanka told journalists at a press conference. "This is my first job and it is the best thing that I can do because I have found a club like a family with big facilities, with a big stadium, with big supporters.

"It is my time. I have been, for three years, with Jose Mourinho and I think he supported me every day. I learned with him and his staff and I'm ready."

Karanka also revealed that Mourinho, now the manager of Chelsea, had encouraged him to take up the post at the Riverside Stadium.

"You can learn everything (from Mourinho) on the pitch and off the pitch and the changing room. He's the one," Karanka said. "He's the person who's supported me for months. He recommended me to come here because he believes in this project, like me."

Boro chief executive Neil Bausor said: "We are delighted that Aitor has decided to further his coaching career with Middlesbrough as our head coach.

"He brings with him some fantastic experience as a player and as a talented young coach. We are all excited about working with him."

Middlesbrough are languishing in 16th place in the Championship table, eight points adrift of the play-off positions and five points above the bottom three.

The northeast club last played in the Premier League in the 2008-09 season. Since Mowbray's departure, his assistant Mark Venus had been acting as caretaker coach for the former UEFA Cup finalists.

Karanka's first managerial position was expected to be here in the UAE after he was approached by Arabian Gulf League giants Al Ahli.

Al Ahli, who are currently leading the Arabian Gulf League by six points, had contacted Karanka to become head coach following the departure of Quique Sanches Flores.

Similarly to his position at Middlesbrough, Karanka received a personal endorsement from Mourinho when he was courted for the Al Ahli position, but it ultimately fell through when the Dubai-based club switched their attention to Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu – then manager of title rivals Al Ain, who he had led to back-to-back championships.

Karanka is a former defender who played for Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid. He served as assistant to Mourinho at the Spanish giants bewtween 2010 and 2013.

 

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