Karanka: Boro will always be with me

Aitor Karanka may no longer be Middlesbrough manager but the Spaniard is adamant the club will always hold a special place in his heart.

Karanka was sacked by Boro in March, although his replacement Steve Agnew failed to save the club from Premier League relegation a year after they got promoted from the Championship.

The former Spain defender played at Real Madrid and then worked under Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu before heading for Middlesbrough but is still based on Teesside despite his sacking – having fallen in love with the area.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

“It was not just an experience for me, but also for my family, my wife and my kids lived there with me, it was more than a football experience but also one for my family,” said Karanka.

“I still live there. My kids are in schools, we really like the area, we feel really good there, we bought a house there, we live in Middlesbrough and if we have to leave then we will leave a lot of friends because everybody has been so supportive with us.

“Now two months later, I walk in the street in Middlesbrough, and everyone gives me their support. They were brilliant for me, the club will always be with me because of the amazing people.

“In football you never know. But I would like for sure to stay in England. When you come here, you realise how big the game is.

“When you are abroad you look at the TV or see the games, but when you are inside it’s completely different. That’s why we would like to stay here.”