Aitor Karanka has signed a new four-year contract at Middlesbrough, a decision he claims to have made within 30 seconds of opening discussions.
The Spaniard replaced Tony Mowbray in the Riverside Stadium dugout in November 2013, and led them to a 12th place finish in the Championship. Last season he established himself as one of the best coaches in the division when he took Boro close to automatic promotion before settling for a spot in the playoffs, where they reached the final before losing to Norwich City.
Some felt failure to reach the Premier League could result in the Spaniard considering his options this summer, due to the growing number of admirers he amassed last term. However, Karaka has now ended any doubts by pledging his long-term future the Teessiders, after he signed a new contract which will tie him to the club until the end of the 2018/19 season.
“When you are in the place where you want to be and you feel that the people like you, the club is the best club for me,” he told the official club website. “I always said I couldn’t be in a better place than I am here, so it was easy for me. I was speaking with the chairman (Steve Gibson) and it took us 30 seconds. He knows me and I know him, and I know that I am in the right place.
“There were some rumours from other clubs, but he knows me and I’d never consider other things than to be here again. My relationship with the people at the club is more than the paper. We have an amazing relationship and I’m at the best club for me. For me, now I would like to be in the Premier League because I’m very passionate and like to do things as soon as possible.”
