|
Manager Aitor Karanka has signed a new four-year contract with Middlesbrough, chairman Steve Gibson has announced. The Spaniard, 41, took over at the Riverside Stadium in November 2013 and guided Boro to the Championship playoff final last season, where they lost to Norwich. The former Real Madrid coach, who worked alongside Jose Mourinho, had been linked with other jobs but decided instead to reaffirm his position with Boro. Gibson told the Evening Gazette: "This is massive statement of the commitment Aitor has to this club. For me this is probably the most important signing we will make all summer. "We know that there has been interest in Aitor over the past year or so from clubs both here and abroad, and rightly so because he is a very, very good manager. "When that speculation has arisen he has always been quick to say that he is happy here and working in the best place. Signing this new four-year deal underlines that quite clearly. "It gives us a lot of stability going into the new season and the coming years.'' Karanka is in no doubt the contract extension was the right move. Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "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. 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 and it took us 30 seconds. He knows me and I know him, and I know that I am in the right place with the right people at the right moment. "After the [playoff] final there were some rumours from other clubs, but he (Steve Gibson) knows me and I'd never consider other things than to be here again. "My relationship with Steve and the people at the club is more than the paper. It's not about years or the money, it's because 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. "But sometimes when you are calm at home, and you are thinking about how we were 18 months ago and how we are now, I'm really pleased because the team and the club -- especially the club -- is improving. "The people in the street are happy and believing in the team. Good players want to join us, so everything is good." Gibson added: "Aitor is very happy here, his family is happy here and he is putting down roots. He is very quickly becoming a Teessider. "He made a big decision to come here to another country and out of his comfort zone, and has been overwhelmed by the welcome he has had from supporters and from people across the area. He has been touched. "He understands the important role the team plays in the area and the passion people feel for Middlesbrough Football Club - and he shares that.'' Middlesbrough signed former West Ham winger Stewart Downing in a £5 million deal and have now received international clearance on the transfer of Uruguayan international striker Cristhian Stuani. Boro's campaign begins on Sunday with a trip to Preston.
|
