Middlesbrough appointed Aitor Karanka as their manager in November 2013 after a poor start to the season that saw them in 16th place.
Previous manager Tony Mowbray had been sacked in October, and the club turned to their first ever non British manager. Karanka had been the assistant under José Mourinho at Real Madrid, but was relatively unknown as a manager, with this being his first job in charge.
Fans were very excited nonetheless, believing this man would bring through a new era for The Boro. Meanwhile, there were some fans that were slightly sceptical, questioning the decision to appoint a man that had no experience.
This is what the fans had to say:
https://twitter.com/JaredAnderson8/status/400573497917063168
@Boro – what a coup. Exciting times ahead.
— Soronprfb (@KierranLPaxton) 13 November 2013
Good election,he learned during 3 years with the Special one @Boro
— Javi O’ Murphy (@RealMurphys) 13 November 2013
@Boro let’s hope this gets the season started! #UTB
— Ashley thorne (@BoroThorne) 13 November 2013
RT @the__buck: Exciting times, Karanka just what we need! Great thanks to Mogga for building a solid foundation. Glory days here we come!
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 13, 2013
RT @mcfcdeanmfc: So happy that Aitor Karanka is the new @Boro manager hopefully a start of good things to come at the riverside! #UTB
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 13, 2013
RT @HayleyMcQueen: Exciting time ahead for @Boro with the announcement of new manager Aitor Karanka who nearly joined #MFC as a player once.
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 13, 2013
Five years later, and Karanka has gone, but not after making his mark at The Riverside. In his first full season in charge of The Boro, he guided the team to fourth place in the Championship before earning promotion the season later.
It was only upon making it to the Premier League that the Spaniard fell out of favour at the club, and was subsequently sacked after struggling with the top division.
Nonetheless, despite his tenure ending in ignominy, many Middlesbrough fans would be grateful for what he achieved while in the northeast.
