Well, that came out of nowhere, and Middlesbrough fans here in the Transfer Tavern are as confused as everyone else after Aitor Karanka’s exit.
Winless since December 17 in the Premier League, maybe the Spaniard’s departure should not come as too much of a shock, though. Boro have been in freefell of late, tumbling towards the bottom of the Premier League at an alarming rate, while their return of 19 goals is the lowest in the division by some distance, equating to just 0.8-per-match – the tally of a side destined for relegation.
MFC can today confirm the departure of Head Coach Aitor Karanka – https://t.co/n9Fuh3w7j8 pic.twitter.com/F9cOPD97dj
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) March 16, 2017
To say the reaction to this news has been plentiful would be an understatement. Fans of the Riverside Stadium outfit are pretty divided on the subject, while others from up and down the country and the league ladder as a whole reacting with a mix of sorrow and joy.
Newcastle supporters, in particular, are getting involved, with the Tyneside club looking likely to be promoted back to the top tier, and some believe their return will now be at the expense of Boro and Sunderland, marking a seismic North East shift, while others are floating the idea of recently axed Derby boss Steven McClaren returning to his old stomping ground…
Have fun with Sunderland in the Champ! See ya Karanka! #boro #nufc
— Ian Rawlings (@ianrawlingsnufc) March 16, 2017
It’s written in the stars, Steve McClaren back to Boro
— Chris (@_ck248_) 16 March 2017
LOL at Middlesbrough…
— Ian Rawlings (@ianrawlingsnufc) March 16, 2017
Imagine if McClaren goes to Boro and gets them relegated him, Fat Sam and Sunderland all in one fell swoop. Amazing
— Nathan Nicholson (@JnathanN) March 16, 2017
Steve McClaren to ‘Boro.
— NUFCThreatLevel (@NUFCThreatLevel) March 16, 2017
Karanka SACKED….oh how lucky we are to have Rafa! #NUFC
— NothingButNewcastle (@NowtButNewc) 16 March 2017
It’s not just Newcastle fans getting on on the act, others are also talking about Steve McClaren heading in to replace Karanka while taking the mickey out of the Teessiders (their own fans are in on the act, too!)…
Aitor Karanka leaves @Boro
Announce Steve McClaren
— Scott (@Chicaned02) 16 March 2017
Karanka’s gone from Middlesbrough. Someone get Steve McClaren’s phone number!
— Len (@LenM4) 16 March 2017
Announce McClaren https://t.co/bNkdqR3LT6
— Kieran (@_KieranBleaz) 16 March 2017
Scenes when McClaren stumbles into the Middlesbrough job #dcfc #UTB pic.twitter.com/PXmf0aLQAf
— Tommy (@TomAstle_3) 16 March 2017
