Karanka departs Boro

by werdermouth, posted in Uncategorized

So Aitor Karanka has left Boro today and Steve Agnew is in charge for the game against Manchester United.

There hasn’t been that much light shed on the unexpected departure by the club but they are adamant that it was by mutual consent – which basically means they both decided it wasn’t working.

Matters came to a head following a boardroom discussion on the best way forward to ensure Boro’s survival in the Premier League – it appears the conclusion arrived at was that some kind of change was needed. Rather surprisingly Aitor Karanka seemed to have agreed that the best way forward for the club was going to be without him in charge.

Whether Karanka was unsure what more he could do to turnaround Boro’s slump in form and perhaps the idea of him changing his methodology in what remains of the season proved to be something he was not willing to contemplate – no doubt as that would basically be an acceptance that he was wrong in his approach.

It’s clear that some players were struggling to see where they fitted in under Karanka’s system in the same way he was struggling to see how they did too. This was probably a significant stumbling block given the need to get everyone pulling in the same direction – so a decision on the way forward was needed.

Interim manager Steve Agnew is well respected by the players and likewise by the board so he will have everyone onside with plenty of goodwill to succeed – but it’s going to be a another surprise if the Boro chairman will trust him with devising a survival strategy until the end of the season.

Whilst there has been little indication of whether there is someone waiting in the wings, there must be a candidate in mind who has been sounded out. It would be unlikely Peter Kenyon has been hanging out with Gibson and Bauser these last few weeks just for the small talk. It’s more than likely a relegation avoidance strategy will have been hammered out and a short list of candidates that would offer the best solution whittled down.

The ideal scenario will be the new boss walking into the dressing room just before kick-off on Sunday to send the adrenaline surging in the players before they walk out into the pitch. Boro really need points a.s.a.p. to put the brakes on their slide back to the Championship so every extra percentage point must be grasped.

No doubt the media will be touting the usual suspects of possibilities that will have the supporters pleading insanity on the chairman’s behalf – but one thing is for certain the person put in charge needs to not only hit the ground running faster than Adama can but should also be an excellent communicator and man-manager if Boro re going to get all their players fired up for the cause.

Overall I think the general feeling is one of relief – it’s never pretty jettisoning a manger but there seemed no other option left given the stakes and the time left to make any difference.

So Boro need a bit of luck and perhaps we can hope that a weight has been taken off the shoulders of the players to express themselves and give us the bounce that other clubs in our position have had before us.

154 thoughts on “Karanka departs Boro”

  1. Surprised at the timing but maybe there was another bustup yesterday when they returned to training over the Downing fallout?
    Maybe Ben Gibson defended his mate and Karanka could hardly naught step Gibbo could he?
    Or maybe the defeaning silence from SG these past couple of weeks means he has been sounding out new managers and he’s had the nod from a decent one who wants to come to the club??
    Agnew in charge for Sunday then,hopefully the players will have a weight lifted from their shoulders and the shackles released from their ankles and put in an improved performance!!

  2. Is it a sad time or a glad time?
    We all knew of course something had to give. You can’t have a manager who chastises the fans the players and even the chairman!
    So do we have a “plan A” for short term? of course we do lets see what happens

    1. Sad for AK the man but glad for the club. AK believed in and stuck to his principles and tactics but when they were failing he was short on alternatives even when it came down to substitutions.
      I’m sure like all of us in time he will reflect back and consider the things he could and should have done differently. If he closes his mind and refuses to accept that there were other ways then he will struggle. Take the experience and learn from it and he will be stronger and a better manager for it.

    2. OFB :
      Going up against Man U it’s going to be a glad time, so let’s go for a pint, sorry, a point. No, I meant 3 points & Plan ‘A’ where ‘A’ is for ATTACK !

  3. OFB
    I am of the view that it is always a sad time when anyone loses their job but as you quite rightly have said “something had to give”.
    I am however surprised by the timing and felt that SG would wait until our fate was sealed. Clearly SG is of the view that the season is still salvageable.
    I did suggest in an earlier post that SG would no doubt be sounding out replacements and let’s hope he has someone lined up who can save us and take us on to better times.
    CoB

  4. Let’s look forward.
    I’d expect someone purely for the rest of this season, a Harry (ideally Harry) makes sense. Someone to engender a momentum and spirit. Then plan beyond that according to where we end in May.
    It doesn’t really matter who it is for the short term, the damage is done and we just need to get behind them regardless.
    That said, SteveMc is already showing as 7/1…

    1. If Aggers pulls off a shock result on Sunday then it puts the cat amongst the pigeons. That said although I didn’t have confidence in it at the time of his appointment when it was implied that Aggers was brought in for continuity. Did that mean taking over the reigns? Charlton last season wasn’t a glowing endorsement but with AK completely gone there is zero ambiguity now.
      With the International break it buys some valuable thinking and planning time. The City and Utd games were never going to be deal breakers, it was the Watford’s at home and Saints away that done for AK in the end and his reluctance to learn and grow from it.
      I suspect that SG will have taken some soundbites from senior pros at the club as well to be certain. As it stands however I believe it was officially a mutual decision so perhaps there was a final Rockliffe tipping point this morning from either or both parties.

  5. Richard
    I hope you and the bookies are wrong about SteveMc. It is about time MFC learned that the return of former players/managers rarely imho results in a happy outcome for the club.

  6. Well, I haven’t been able to bear too much engagement in this site for weeks now. I believe we’re down (expect the worst) though not definitely (hope for the best) and the games are there for us to play (take what comes)!!
    AK had to go, I’m just surprised it happened now but my last post was some weeks ago when he turned on the fans, that was the point that it was obvious he was on his way out – only the timing had to be delivered
    There is now a MASSIVE makeover in the back-office and playing strategy to put in place, the whole Spanish-orientated recruitment needs to be turned over and replaced, along with the man at the top. I don’t see any early appointment therefore, the new man (or woman?) will need a platform to mould in their own way. So I see Agnew being in place to the end of the season now while ducks and rows get sorted, but with a clear change in tactics on the field – led by Downing I suspect. So lets get behind him now and will the team on in their new (and probably unfamiliar!) formations.
    Farewell AK – I thought you were a decent man and will have learned a lot from this – you need to as their is positive and negative feedback to learn from. Take your time, reflect and then get a new job, which you will, easily.
    UTB

  7. The stat is true KP but it’s tongue in cheek from me. I think we’d all rather avoid Steve (me included) but if he comes, let’s back him. That said, there must be better options our there.

  8. Richard
    I agree there are better options out there and for me Alan Pardew and Nigel Pearson are ahead of Steve. I am certainly not in favour of Roy Hodgson but who ever comes I will back.

  9. Well the timing has surprised me as well and like others have said, never good for the person and I wish AK and his family all the best for the future.
    I am sure he will have learnt in the process and will move on to something else. He got us promoted and for that we must be grateful but we were sleep walking to relegation as he could not change his ways.
    I hope that the players will rally round and give us the new manager bounce that is desperately needed so looking forward to Sunday.
    I would suspect that SG has a plan and will be happy with anybody apart from Roy Hodgson or Steve MCCLAREN.
    UTB

  11. A strange piece of timing and a little late to save us I fear. However stranger things have happened. We can only speculate on the politics and tensions inside Rockliffe but something certainly snapped.
    I can’t see Agnew going to the end of the season and please not Steve Mc or Roy H. We need an experienced manager who if we are to be relegated can assess what we have properly while they play football.
    Interesting times. Thank you AK and good luck with your career.
    UTB,
    John

  13. Whatever happens we will still be here.
    The messages coming out of the club and AK don’t sound like a major kerfuffle took place, more a ‘discussion’ about the way forward.
    Gate and Mogga just disappeared, AK had already stated that when Gibbo decided it was time to that was it.

  14. Well it was inevitable given that there was little sign of Boro’s fortunes changing any time soon and in truth Gibson would have needed to be convinced that the week of destiny wasn’t just a prelude to a one-way destination back to the Championship.
    Whoever ultimately takes charge it’s going to be a rescue mission and a difficult one at that but it would be an easier prospect if everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.
    If Palace beat Watford before we play then Boro are essentially needing two more wins than their rivals – Some reports say the club are hoping that Agnew is our answer to Shakespeare but he first must show our goal threat has much to do about nothing.

  16. The more I think about it the more inevitable it seems – a bad run of results, even relegation form, is one thing, but fallings out with the players that were bleeding into the public media must have made it very difficult to sustain his tenure. It’s been a while since I’ve known such a lack of unity at MFC, or at least a lack of unity that we know about (those with memories of Steve McClaren – by the way, please NOT him! – will recall the wall of silence that fell whenever it came to news coming out of the club, so who knows how bad it got at times back then).
    Still, a big shame. The club was very quickly built around Karanka and he did a great job of turning things around. I’ll always have happy thoughts about the promotion season, even the one before when we at least started to win more than lose. It just seems he was found out at this level – the lack of flexibility was telling. Even if the transfer policy wasn’t his fault then there are some decent players and he didn’t get the best out of them.
    No idea who I’d have next beyond the usual dream managers who we’ll never get – Alex O’Neil seemed a good bet until it started going wrong at Norwich…

  17. Always sad for the individual. I’m grateful for the work he did to get us to the PL but fear that he had gone as far as he could with this squad. The timing is a bit odd but who knows what prompts these things.
    Not McLaren please.
    Not sure Agnew is the right man either.
    Glad I don’t have to make the choice.
    UTB

  18. Can I just interject and give a shout out to the Diasboro community (?) and in particular the regular blog writers (Wedermouth, Simon and Redcar Red) for providing the excellent service we enjoy? Hot off the press news, hot off the press blog to discuss it. Top work chaps. Although, part of me believes that in the best tradition of obit writers, Werder had his header template lined up for quite some time, safe in the knowledge that it would sooner or later need to be used!
    Onto AK. I think it’s the right decision. If you are a pessimist and assume we are down anyway, then it’s the right thing to do to give ourselves chance to reorganise before the big push next season.

    1. Thanks, but I was not prepared for this announcement – I think the timing of Karanka’s departure could have been better – for instance yesterday – then it would have saved me a morning writing an article about the financial implications of relegation 🙂

  19. Well, not that much of a surprise really and probably the right decision.
    Good luck to AK, he saved us from relegation to League one, brought us a play off final and then promotion. Enjoy a holiday and a new job in the summer.
    Steve Agnew is the obvious man to hold the fort for a while, although I suspect we’ll see a new manager eventually. Personally I’d like to see the new appointee in place during the international break.
    That gives him ten games to maybe perform a miracle but importantly to get to know the current players so he can formulate a recruitment strategy for the summer.
    I’m curious to know who will play against United.
    Downing in?
    Ramirez in/out?
    Stuani, not on the wing please!
    My preference Negredo up front, Traore right, Ramirez central, Downing left.
    With a little more attacking umph coming from the midfield three.

    1. I think we’ll probably need to appoint an interim manager until the summer with the task of trying to avoid relegation. The next full-time manager shouldn’t really be decided until we know what the job is going to be next season – PL consolidation (hopefully) or a manager capable of gaining promotion from the Championship – in both cases the answer is surely not Schteve…

  22. It’s funny isn’t it?
    I wanted him to go and now he’s gone I feel sorry about it.
    I know RR said we hadn’t renewed and my eldest son a sc holder said he wasnt going to see another game whilst Karanka was there. More importantly to me was my wife said she didn’t want to go any more. The problem. For me was all my family had sc tickets for other parts of the ground oh calamity !!
    Hopefully everything will settle down and we can fight and stay up
    Notwithstanding this I will renew and hopefully Mrs Fat Bob will as well?
    And Redcar Red go on you know it makes sense

  23. Just got back from my local and was discussing with my Mate who is a Derby supporter about Macca getting the sack, said I wish we would do the same. He asked me would I like Mclaren back , my reply, not sure ,maybe till the end of the season, we could do with a few rousing Uefa cup charges.
    Good luck to Karanka and with the passing of time most supporters will remember the good things he did and forget how inflexible and stubborn he was at the end. Hopefully we play Real Madrid in the European final one day when he is Manager at least we will know if we score first, We win. ha ha
    I know most of us are relieved but how ironic Jose started our bad run and now he will no doubt be determined to turn the knife for his amigo. Anyway as Selwynoz remarked about using Gestedes heading skill lets hope we get Downing in to put some pinpoint crosses into the goal area.
    UTB👍 🌞

  25. Nigel
    That would be perfect, a three man midfield and four attackers. 4331 plus a goalie.
    🙂
    An observation, when Strachan and Mogga went the Gazette boys were invited to the ground. Today it was just an announcement unless I have missed something.
    It doesn’t matter now, it is time to look forward.
    There is an opportunity for the players to become heroes, it is also a chance to see how good they are without someone to blame.
    Fluff their lines and go down with no improvement and that really does hole the recruitment policy below the water line.
    It was clearly time for the change, like many I expected it after the Stoke match.
    Key questions.
    Will Adama develop a football brain? Will Ramirez stop sulking? Will we get a fit defence? Can we pass to a red shirt? Will Stewie be up for the fight? Can we kick that round thing towards the net? Were Pardew, Neil, Dyche and latterly AK right about Bamford?
    Will we get a spirited performance on Sunday?
    We will see it live on TV come Sunday. Before then, ManU play tonight. 1-1 at full time and extra time and penalties will do nicely.
    I think we will see a strong ManU side from Jose. His pre match press conference will be intriguing.

  27. As others have said very sad to see him go. We generally always remember the good times, so will look back in a few years with fond memories. Hopefully not looking back and saying it was better under AK.
    Timing appears all wrong to me. Mathmatically we can avoid relegation, but in reality very little chance.
    Cannot see Agnew being the one to rally the troops. We now need at best an interim Coach, then at the seasons end we will have a larger pool of potential Managers to choose from. At the moment I do not think I would want any of those mooted to date.
    And….McClaren, I would slit my wrists and doubt SG’s mental state.

  30. Nigel
    Damn, I was hoping we would get away with it!
    The difficulty is that the changes at Swansea, Leicester and to an extent Hull were managers walking in to squads with premier league experience. In the case of Swansea, they have done well over several seasons, Leicester won the title and had been performing in the Champions League, Hull became a basket case but brought in an experienced manager.
    We had to change, you cant have naughty terraces in a squad or in our case a non naughty step for Ben! We wont know whether it worked until we are safe or relegated.
    The bad news is that even though AK has left the dreadful shirt is still with us.
    AK didn’t believe in post Christmas Slump, he will now.
    But who do we go for.
    Agnew – unknown quantity as a manager, will he just do same old, same old.
    Schteve – can someone put border posts on the A67?
    Primark Pardew – manages in patches, good run then bad run, with our luck it would be bad run first
    Pearson – has a record of upsetting people, so did Cloughie. If Gibson has poured oil on troubled waters do we want someone to set fire to it?
    Then there is a whole tranche of the unemployed managers, some acting as pundits.
    Rookies? Ryan Giggs was mentioned.
    As OFB said lets wait and see. There not many good managers readily available in the short timescale of matches running out.

  31. Back in August after our summer recruitment I posted on here my assessment of our newly assembled PL squad. I rated all of our attacking positions below par or just about par at best and had grave concerns about our creative options and lack of goal threat. It is here that our recruitment has proven to have fallen short. We were towards the bottom of the spending table so our margin for error was very slim and I felt at the time we didn’t get all of our transfer targets over the line. We were linked with some very exciting attacking talent from the French and Spanish leagues that never materialised and I had the feeling we were landing largely from our B and C list, this happened again in January. This short fall in recruitment left us with a squad skill set that didn’t quite fit with the intended system, now and again it did but more often than not it all felt a bit clunky. I thought we played some great stuff at times under AK and I enjoyed the nice possession football as opposed to hit and hope but we just fell short on too many occasions to go on. At the very least, with a change we now have some hope.

  33. So the guy gets you promotion, out of the wilderness, you don’t recruitment anyone of note, he gets them going,with the worst squad, in the division, goes throw a sticky period,the new fans,and local media, who have seen snipits of the premiership,on MOD, for seven years, turn on him, know more than someone who as been around the best, And Gibson capitulates, Ok you’ve done it, and no more of this hope he is successfully elsewhere hypocrites.
    We are down, stupid is stupid, if you think the players are going to fight your mistaken, Let’s see who comes in now, we’ll see, if it’s someone’s first managereal role,it will say it all.
    By the way as Gary Gill left yet?

    1. OK you have your personal view of the situation, that’s fine but you’re probably not entitled to accuse other people of being hypocritical unless you know they don’t genuinely wish Karanka well for the future – that’s probably crossing the line of what I would call playing the man instead of the ball.

    2. Bitter pill for breakfast, GT?
      AK’s gone coz we haven’t won a game in 10, we’re 19th in the league & in the same time scored 3 or 4 goals.
      All else was simply add.- ons.
      Tomorrow is another day!

  34. Gentlemen read what I said, it’s not a dig,but reading what’s being said on other boards ,you shake your head I hope I’m wrong,sincerely ,
    All I know is the guy got my club promotion,he’s right ,three years ago, we were in a mess,that alone tells me,he deserved some loyalty,he should have been given an opportunity,even when we go down,to do it again,
    The club is sound financially, this summer he could have looked at it differently, in a division were we will compete at the top end.
    And by the way ,is it ok to have a different view of it all,seems not here.
    Have I been personal.

    1. GT
      Diasboro prides itself on having disparate and varied views and we don’t attack people for having a difference of opinion
      Please keep posting your own views it forms a balanced view which the neutral would appreciate

    2. GT
      I fully appreciate that your post is not so much a dig but a fair emotive statement of how you feel and how you regard AK. And for that you are very much entitled as AK might have said.
      I’m not of the same opinion totally but I staunchly believe there are others behind the scenes away from the spotlight of the dugout who failed to a far greater extent than AK but he failed to address the hand he was dealt however unfairly.
      Keep posting as the blog needs balance and as time moves forward hopefully there will be more that unites than divides.

  35. I am no fan of AK but it is not good when someone loses their job. However, I imagine there will be some kind of financial settlement that might cushion the blow.
    I agree with other posters that the timing is odd. Personally, I have said many times that I believe that he should have gone immediately after Charltongate because key relationships would never be the same again. I suspect that there has been slowly festering unrest ever since the Charlton debacle and it has finally resulted in such a breakdown in the relationships between the payers and the manager that Steve Gibson had no option but to act.
    The timing of AK’s removal is I think too late in the season for any new manager to keep the club in the Premier League. So I would like to see someone appointed who will shake things up and get the players either motivated or out of the team. My choice would be Nigel Pearson but I know there are others who think he would be a disaster. Maybe so but I doubt that he would oversee a bigger disaster than Boro’s recent catastrophic run under AK.
    In the interim, AK has to be recognised as a manager who got the club to the Premier League and delivered a few memorable wins home and away. However, most of what he served up was turgid, dull and negative and so I am not sorry to see him go.

  36. This from AV on ‘Premium Boro’:
    ”The club have developed appliance of science recruitment, analysis, training, conditioning, nutrition, tactical preparation and a steely team mentality and focus. All the ingredients are in place for a club fit for purpose to step up a gear.”
    REALLY?? This with other deft praise. (No, I don’t subscribe, there is a little trick to access content without paying (you don’t get most of the photos and podcasts)).
    I would really like to hear RR’s take on this!

      1. I only use Internet Explorer. Go into ‘Internet Options’ click the tab ‘Security’ make the setting as High – the click the tab ‘Privacy’ and click the ‘Block’ buttons for first party cookies and third party cookies. The press apply and then press ok. Then access the Gazette site with these options in place. You don’t get the pictures or the podcasts but you do get the articles-and without the ads and pop-ups

    2. Dalla, I agree with you that it’s nonsense.
      Appliance of science recruitment? Didn’t deliver much quality.
      Tactical preparation? Same again defend, defend, defend.
      Steely team mentality? Questionable and results say otherwise.
      All the ingredients in place to step up a gear? So what the hell went wrong this season then?

    3. My take is that a few weeks ago the Gazette lads were on a PR offensive on behalf of the club. As the mood on here and elsewhere darkened and I suspect an indication of what was to be from sources close to the club the paper changed their views literally 360 pointing out what had been pointed out on here and on Untypical months ago.
      Their mandate now is to help rebuild and restore hope and belief. The likes of Bernie can say what he likes to a degree as he is outside of the fully employed Journalists but even his pieces seemed to be not beyond the cynical view of timing and perhaps a nod was given to let the dogs out.
      Rock and a hard place, play the game and get the exclusives or bite the hand that feeds them especially now their employers seem almost desperate to raise a few bob, no doubt putting the pressure on from afar and constantly checking the cash register screaming “dance”!
      We all have bills to play and my guess is that there have been more rewarding times emotionally and psychologically to be a Gazette Journo. Unlike the millionaire who lost his job on Teesside today their payoffs and bank accounts are probably like most on Teesside one or two wage statements from poverty.

  37. It would not surprise me to see our next manager sat in the directors box on Sunday as this may have been planned for weeks incase things turned out as they have. I do not see SG leaving things until the end of the season and I will be very surprised if Agnew is announced as the new manager.
    Thanks Aitor for everything you have done for MFC and good luck for the future.
    Come on BORO.

    1. I think Sunday will avoid any media circus type distractions off the pitch.
      Jose’ will have decided to go at us 100 mph from the off as Palace, Stoke and City did, free from the fear of conceding against our Jaffa strike force.
      He now is unsure what tactics Aggers will employ but I suspect will stick to a hunch that Aggers will simply just “maintain” waiting for the new incumbent.
      Me? I’d go 4312 with Stuani and Bamford going at them centrally and Stewy just behind. Option of bringing Traore on when Paddy gets knackered and Negredo to prove his worth after telling Paddy and Stuani to go at them 150 mph.
      Its the tactics the chosen one will not expect and if AK is truly his apprentice then he too may leave it far too late to accept its not working. Its a free hit, nothing to lose game!

  38. I guess everyone will now speculate as to who the next manager should be,
    Based on the size of club we are, and the reality of who we could entice, remember Martin O’Neill turned us down,I’m sure he had his reasons and was that brick walls?
    We need a solid experienced individual ,that gets it, and can run a club.
    Yes, take a deep breath, Tony Pupils , and he’s available in the summer .

    1. At least you know what you are getting with Pulis. Much as I shudder at the prospect I could at least appreciate the Commercial logic if not so much the style of football. Had AK done a Pulis we would be moaning about the football absolutely but from around 8th to 10th in the Premiership which makes a huge difference.

  40. Oddly I feel sad that he is leaving but strangely optimistic about Sunday (it’s the hope that gets you!). I have to say I was a fan, I liked his honesty at press conferences (although he answered questions a bit too honestly at the end!) and he wore his heart on his sleeve. I posted after the Stoke game that he looked a little haunted and despite being an AK fan reluctantly I had to accept that it was time for him to go. He needs to recharge his batteries and the club needs to move on. I maintain that he has the potential to become a top manager but clearly he needs to take stock, learn lessons from what is his first managerial appointment. Can’t wait for Sunday now!

    1. Had Fischer been the next Hazard and Negredo a Drogba or a Costa it may all have been a very different story. There again had AK kept hold of Albert it may have been only 4 or 5 points better off but enough to scrape over the line.
      He now has the time to relax and mull over the same conundrums and no doubt next time will do things differently. I suspect Mel from Derby is now kicking himself tonight!
      Fine margins!

  44. I have been working in Germany during the week for a while now and had a conversation about Wagner today to find he is also highly fancied and courted over here unsurprisingly but has apparently answered speculation here by saying he has started a job and will finish it and is not the type to walk away leaving it half done much to the chagrin of a few German clubs supporters.
    So that means any hope of Wagner short term is massively unrealistic and long term there will be a long queue of suitors. Should SG manage to achieve his arrival it would require a huge masterstroke of proportions I don’t feel confident are remotely achievable.
    Finding a square peg for a square hole will be immediately difficult. Much more likely to be a stop gap reactionary instant hit/fix like Nige, maybe a more measured Hiddink “type” or the Tinkerman himself. There again maybe Aggers will plagiarise Shakespeare?

  45. It has always been interesting times as a Boro fan and probably the same for most clubs apart from the big boys!
    The game has changed so much over the years and money has been the main driver. Look at where Chelsea were before the Russian, I seem to recall a certain play off match!
    Man City were the same before the Arabs, Manu have always had a global audience.
    Middlesbrough are a small town with a small catchment area in a poor area so I have always felt we punch above our weight thanks to SG and his money. But as Weder said in his excellent previous article, the difference now compared to the last time we were in the EPL is immense.
    Where I am going with this and what has it got to do with the departure of AK! well, my take is that with the budget that was presumably put in place, competing was always going to be an uphill struggle. Even with the high wages of some of the players, we were never going to attract the top class players that are required. Where AK Went wrong was that he didn’t appear to quite grasp that and play to strengths and limitations. Playing in the premiership is different to the championship with the quality and speed of the other teams. the tactics that got us up, were never really going to be enough, we all saw that but AK Could not for whatever reason.
    Ultimately that was his downfall along with the voicing of views that came from spending too much time with the Special One. There were times when, in my opinion, he came across as too arrogant with an inability to see that he may just be doing something wrong.
    however, he did a lot of good things for the club and gave us promotion.
    It is now down to the whole of the club from the top down to knuckle down and show what they are made of over the coming weeks. I wil say again, as others have, that if we do go down, I would rather it be by giving it a go and losing 3 -2 than 1 0 or a 0 0 draw. Draws will not suffice now.
    I am ambivalent about who we get as manager as long as we stay up and there is a case to give it to say Big Nige on a temporary basis although would anyone take it on that basis?
    Anyway, it is what it is. We have been here before and we shall overcome!
    UTB

  46. A sad day, even if the right decision.
    2013 was grim beyond belief, remember that awful game v Huddersfield in front of 12K on a cold October night. The PL seemed a million miles away as we struggled to a 1-1 draw with the crowd turning on an all time Boro hero. The axe had to fall and after a worrying flirtation with Mark Venus, Aitor turned down the Palace for Boro.
    2014/15 one of my favorite seasons, as Winter turned int Spring it was clear we were finally on our way back and were not going to collapse as under Mowbray. Our run in brought back memories of been at school and the promotion campaigns of the 1990s, hanging on all our rivals results, the sheer tension of Norwich away, the crazy game at Fulham and going to Wembley again all happy memories which I had feared I would never again see. 2015/16 was as much fun, but was expected, thus lacked the surprise element of the first season or the full appreciation of where we had come from.
    It was always going to be better to travel in hope than to arrive, this year has been grim and we have all lost faith in Karanka at various stages over the last few months and hard not to welcome today’s development. However, we should never allow a dark, rainy evening to overshadow the memory of a bright and sunny morning.
    Where do we go from here? My views of Agnew are skewed (probably unfairly) by the memory of his back inadvertently setting up a Boro goal v Barnsley in 1990 to take him too seriously. Whoever it is will be a crucial appointment, next season will be massive as ( I still think we are going down) we need to bounce straight back. Unless we want to go back to 12K crowds on cold October evenings in the lower reaches of the 2nd division.

  47. It’s a bit odd isn’t it that our most successful manager, who won us a cup and got us to a Euro final is the last person we all want to come back to the Boro?
    I don’t want him back either but, on paper, his CV must look tempting…

  48. Redcar Red…a friend of mine has been a Huddersfield season ticket holder for years and told me that Wagner is top notch and the best manager they have had in a long long time. I personally would like too see him at Middlesbrough but of course he is heavily involved with his own team in the race for promotion from the championship
    .Lots of dross managers mentioned today on various forums . I would not have any of them.

  49. Martin
    After his time with us, apart from his time with Twente it has been unremitting disaster.
    England, Toon, Forest, Derby twice.
    Let sleeping dogs lie or don’t touch him with a barge pole, come to think of it any variety of pole.
    Two sayings, you cant teach an old dog new tricks or, more importantly a leopard never changes his spots.

  50. A sad day indeed, history will remember AK as the manager who took us from the doldrums and back to the PL. I must admit to feeling a bit guilty however, when I heard the news, as I felt a bit more optimistic about our chances – for all AK’s hard work this season it did seem like we were drifting towards the trap door and we might now have a better chance of staying up. He’d clearly lost elements of the crowd, the squad and the staff so you can’t really argue with the decision.
    I don’t really think it could have been made any earlier – perhaps immediately after the Stoke game, but up to and including Everton he could still have argued we were on track – but minds were surely changed after the capitulations in the next two games.
    I’m sure he will feel unlucky, and perhaps justifiably so – the late goals at Leicester and Man U, the injury-ravaged defence since xmas, the inability to sign his targets in January, Ramirez’s head being turned, but every club has to deal with situations like that.
    As for the new manager – I can’t say any of the suggestions particularly excite me – Hiddink perhaps for a rescue job, Pearson maybe, but he brings plenty of baggage – I wouldn’t be against Agnew getting it if SG thinks he is the best for the job. The teamsheet for Saturday will be absolutely fascinating however.

    1. I’m afraid Karanka fate was sealed Phil once you’d predicted the boro results and still had us relegated!! Gibbo must have known AK’s time was up.
      I know jarkko still had us getting in the Europa league but that’s a whole different story! 😉

  51. Now to set a conundrum.
    Talk of the likes of Pulis and Pearson made me think.
    If we get a new manager and we play dreadful Pulis football with 35-40% possession, long ball and win what will you all post.
    I read dreadful, dire football, no creativity, boring, boring, boring!
    Here is the challenge, post
    A. You don’t care about results as long as we play well.
    B,. Premiership survival is more important than performances.
    Every post you make has to answer the question, I will remind you, there is no prevarication, A or B, no buts, no nonsense response.
    Put your comment where your mouth is.

    1. B
      But may I clarify that I do not expect to see world class performances when a team is newly promoted.
      It takes time to build a Premiership squad look at Southampton Stoke WBA they have all done it and that is why results initially beat performances
      It’s all about survival
      Fat Bob

  52. Bad news, manu leading 1-0, extra time and pens would have been better.
    Pogba and Blind went off injured but I will take no solace in players knocks, I don’t want anyone crocked whoever they play for.

  53. I feel really sad about AK leaving. He seemed to have brought a new level of professionalism but, clearly, he had reached a point where it wasn’t working. I genuinely wish him every success and believe that he could do well at a bigger club with better recruitment
    There has been talk of an approach to Hiddinck. For me, the combination of Agnew coached by Hiddinck would be perfect and would leave the final decision for the summer.
    I’m genuinely not sure what will happen about the rest of the back room team. Agnew is part of the same team and so they might stay. Any hints locally?
    United look as if they may have lost Pogba to injury as well. Here’s to new manager bounce setting us off in a run of vital wins.
    Finally, I don’t see Downing as the answer to our problems. He’s just not the kind of player who takes over a match and he no longer has the pace that he had. However, he is a lovely crosser of the ball. It will be fascinating to see the team on Sunday. I still think that Gestede will do more for us in the battle for survival than some other f the more cultured players and somebody has to supply the bullets.
    Lots to think about.
    Welcome MW in Darwin. We pretty much hav the country covered although we have not heard from PPinPerth for a while. I hope that you are keeping your fluids up (amber or otherwise) in Darwin
    UTB

  54. When I hastily put up this blog as news broke of Karanka’s departure I wrote an cursory introductory sentence and mentioned I would update it when further information became available – well not much has been announced by the club but I’ve written a few paragraphs to pull it all together.
    So just scroll to the top as I can’t offer you a link…

  55. I am probably the only one on here to suggest that I would not play Downing on Sunday. Since he came back to the club his performances have been very disappointing indeed . He was in some way responsible for last seasons spat with Aitor and of course again in the last couple of weeks. Who does he think he is .
    I supported the fact that Aitor wanted shot of him in January. All I hear and read is that ‘ he is one of our own ‘ well the truth is he is not good enough in our present situation and Middlesbrough supporters should accept the reality of that. He is getting paid mega money and no wonder he did not want to leave the club. But come the end of the season , he must be the first out the door.
    Does he have passion for the club. No ! His pay packet till he is 34 was the reason he came back. Look , I am originally from the Scottish border s and came to this area in 1965 and have supported Middlesbrough since 1966. Had a season ticket at Ayresome park and then the Riverside. But because I am now retired from work my finances don’t allow me to have a season ticket anymore but I still support Middlesbrough with a passion.
    Apologies for the rant but I am very angry at the moment.

    1. Downing arrived from the Premiership with high regard from his ex Manager and Hammers fans. AK doesn’t play the same system and didn’t accommodate Downing into his. Jordan Rhodes is an identical story and the Adomah relationship is well debated because of his lack of defensive prowess. Stuani is also a cause for much debate and his position on the right.
      Stewy doesn’t have the engine now to be an out and winger. I believe he came as a No 10 but had only one lone Striker in front meaning his options were only 50% in that role plus the lone Striker had double the defensive attention making his opportunities and openings probably no more than 25% in comparison to the Boleyn ground.
      Isolating and naughty stepping grown men who are professionals wasn’t a great management trait not excusing player power either as that is not desirable either.
      I suspect there will be more than just two sides to the story but worth pointing out that the Stewy “rumours” both occured when the club was dipping and things not going right on the pitch. As a Boro lad he could just keep his mouth shut and keep banking the pay cheques or open his mouth and stand up when it appears that others were happy to toe the line with heads down.
      The situation now had reached a level of unacceptability and something had to be said. Whether it was Stewys place to say it is a moot point but I suspect he spelled out what the majority was thinking. Perhaps if AK was more open and took on board voiced concerns he may have still been in employment and we would have a few others still at the club instead of arguably inferior replacements.

    2. Braveheart1967
      I am with you on this. You cannot keeping living on past glories in any walk of life. In any job if you do not perform then you will not survive.
      SD cannot blame it all on AK or his tactics, he simply has not delivered consistently enough for my liking and has failed to take a game by the scruff of the neck. When he has played well it has been either in small patches or in the cup against lower league opposition. He may be able to put in wonderful crosses but how often has he done it?
      I dare say ,however, it is likely after all the recent upheaval that he will be restored to the team on Sunday!

  56. Hiddinck has an outstanding record but I have a feeling Di Matteo will be the one.
    Surely Gibbo would not appoint another “L “plate manager like Agnew.
    GT according to Karanka he had the best squad in the world and as for being hypocrites for giving a thanks and good luck, you prefer people to say “Chuff off ya Barsteward”. Most on here have supported the Boro for a long time ( 60 years in my case) and could see that the issues were not being addressed. We are not watching snipits from MOD. This site has some of the finest minds in the country and if you delved into our job histories I am sure it would make interesting reading.( in fact we could solve the worlds issues ) The majority of us were crying out for change, because we are all are passionate about the Boro and did not enjoy the spotlight on our boring negative football and could not see Karanka changing.
    So onward and upward get some spirit,confidence and togetherness in the team and lets fight for our Premier league survival.
    UTB

  57. I watched AV, Phil T and Jonathan Taylor discuss Karanka’s departure earlier this evening and it was quite interesting debate and well worth a view.
    http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aitor-karankas-middlesbrough-exit-settled-12753492
    I think they pretty much came to a similar conclusion that I did with my piece last week (A big club methodology for a small town in Europe) in that ultimately the intensity of Karanka’s methods eventually wore down the players mentally and they could no longer perform at the level he wanted from them and no longer responded as they had done in the previous couple of years.

      1. I love A but it has to be B. Points before beauty.
        Had AK had us safe in mid table it would have put a different perspective on things as it did with “Boring Arsenal” when it brought them silverware.

  59. Ian –
    But that’s a loaded question as Premiership survival is not dependent on playing dull uninspiring football – We’ve just had 27 games of that and it wasn’t equating to survival.
    Though if pushed in the remaining 11 games I’d settle for any kind of football that ensured PL survival – though it would actually mean Boro would win five games and that would mean at least five goals too – which is about four months worth under AK!

  61. I want us to win. That’s more important but would prefer it than be done in a way that includes some good football. I have no problem with us being more direct but I agree with Werdermouth that it’s a false question because we have enough quality players to play a combination of higher pressing and attack without losing defensive strength. Games like Everton and Swansea show the potential. I’ve actually seen a lot of positives this season but, ultimately, the players seem too often to have been mentally shackled in recent weeks. Maybe they just need freedom to play with passion within their agreed patterns.
    It will be fun

  62. Ian
    B, obviously. The Premiership. It’s the only place to be. Which is why AK had to go, and I’m glad he’s gone, cos it gives us just a whisper of a chance to stay up.
    I do think, like many others, that he has transformed us into a professional outfit with a steely mentality. I do also agree with AV that he has left us a much stronger club than when he arrived. And I’ll always thank him for that and for winning us promotion.
    But we move on. By Saturday, the news of Aitor’s departure will be wrapping up fish and chips. I want Hiddink or Mancini. I don’t want Warnock or Schteve. Big Nige might do the business in the short term, but his baggage worries me, as does his recent record at Derby.
    We must have a chance of beating Man U. They’ve had 2 hard games this week. Several forwards injured. No Ibrahimovic. Herrera suspended. Pogba with a hamstring and Blind with concussion. Add to that the Agnew factor, and the fact that he might just launch something unsuspected at Mourinho. Like scoring a goal. So, yes, definitely optimistic. And I definitely wouldn’t have been with AK still at the helm.
    I do think, whatever side Agnew picks, that we have to have a real go at them.

  63. Ian’s Choice: it’s a B from me chaps. However, both A (entertainment) and B (results) are but circles in the Venn diagram of football – they are not mutually exclusive and at some point they intersect. My unwritten thesis is that the area of intersection increases in proportion to the level of experience in the squad and culture of the club. (at least that is what Mel keeps telling Derby fans is behind them jettisoning successful managers)
    Ak’s problem is that he obsessively, perhaps even sadistically, valued B over A to the point where his own area of intersection, which naturally decreased as we moved into a higher league, was reduced to minuscule performances. Under AK we barely looked like ever basking in the interesecting juices of A and B. And lo, should you follow such as Pulisian Method, you are safe when B brings you the results you prioritise. However, if results do not come you have sacrificed any goodwill that would exist if you occasionally crossed the intersection point and you have very little to cushion your fall from grace.
    In truth, the best managers are those who are not purists chasing to achieve football nirvana by following extremes of A or B. They are pragmatists who find a balance and thus increase their area of intersection until both are possible simultaneously.
    Football: Venn Entertainment & Results Intersect is available in all good Diasboro posts whilst thoughts last.

  64. it a B from me- has been all season.
    However, as it became clear that B wasn’t working and Boro were not grinding out the wins or even the draws, combined with the intransigence of AK to consider a change let alone action a change, my view changed.
    We were never/are not going to morfe into Chelsea over night with the squad but the lack of the odd glimmer of entertainment would have been good.
    For me, after the Swansea game, I started to feel more positive until AK said it was our worst game and his subsequent observations meant that If I had been in SG shoes, we would have had the Chat earlier, probably after West Ham.
    Anyway, onward and upward, Manu to beat which is always a joy and part of the reason why my daughter became a Boro fan at the age of about 8 or 9 having shown no interest before!
    UTB

  65. My view is B, going back down to the Championship would be painful.
    I listened to Paul Clement saying what he did at Swansea when he arrived and it was on the coaching ground doing drills. Any new manager will start by ensuring solidity.
    When Schteve was going through one of his bad patches Phil Thompsomn was asked what could he do. Win matches, even spawny 1-0’s will lift the pressure.
    That is the situation facing Steve Agnew and whoever follows him.
    Sunday will be interesting.

  66. The hypothetical question posed by Ian is a test of whether supporters are prepared to contemplate some kind of Faustian pact – though ultimately it is a a false dichotomy. We have seen that trying to grind out results by playing percentage football is no guarantee of survival and in some cases it can be counter-productive.
    Likewise, playing an entertaining expansive game is not an irresponsible road to failure – it is indeed the preferred option of most successful teams at the top of the Premier League.
    Saying goodbye to entertainment and winning through attritional football may seem like the only option on the table for clubs like Boro – but this seems to stem from fear of failure and the name of Tony Pulis is often held up as an example of how it must be done.
    But if this is the case then perhaps we should contemplate reducing the wages of our multi-million pound players if they are mediocre footballers who aren’t capable of reproducing the skills to pass, move and shoot in the direction of the net.
    Surely being organised is just the foundation of a football team, it’s not the endpoint – but some coaches have reached the point where controlling and orchestrating the players has taken precedence over giving them a platform to express themselves.
    We have seen with Karanka that in the end the team had become so well organised that the opposition knew what to expect – it was the lack of expression in the final third that lead to our failure to score goals.
    So successful teams need to be playing well at both ends of the pitch and if we are looking for players who just follow instructions then we can probably save ourselves at least 50% of the wage bill and let everyone in for free instead if it is to be also free of entertainment.

  67. It is a “B” from me at this stage. Some enjoyment can be had from getting results even if the quality of the game couldn’t be described as entertaining. But turgid, lacklustre performances which are also losing performances, are the death-knell.
    It’s been largely B…. awful so far.

  68. I suppose I should add that maybe ‘entertaining’ is not quite the right word – ‘exciting’ is probably a better one – even a Tony Pulis side can be exciting to watch as there is generally plenty of goal attempts – plus they do have some exciting players to watch in their team too!

  73. From Steve Gibson’s interview he implied Agnew was in with a decent shout of getting the job permanently, it will be fascinating to see how that pans out.
    Once Karanka had lost the support of significant players within the squad he was toast.
    He cant possibly have expected to keep his job after all the public criticism he was coming out with since Christmas.
    I was a big fan of Karanka’s, I liked the way he built the squad, created a defence tighter than a tight thing and had the team playing tight structured football, I expected him having done all that to then develop the front end, but for some reason he didn’t/couldn’t do that and that lack of cutting edge created the pressure which he eventually cracked under.
    I was at White Hart Lane when we lost 1-0 and the Boro’s football was embarrassing to watch, attack against defence. As Ben Gibson said defending for 90 minutes is almost impossible especially against classy premiership strikers.
    Good luck to AK, I’ll watch his future career with interest.
    Really looking forward to seeing Agnew’s team against Utd and I do believe we have a chance of a result on Sunday, they have some key players injured.

  74. Ian
    For the remainder of this season, it has to be B. There is really noting else to play for and any kind of win(s) now, which naturally means at least one goal, will be entertainment.
    Longer term, as I’ve said before (and ignoring the Leicester aberration of last season), Medium-sized clubs like Boro have a ceiling and therefore attritional football will not suffice. That doesn’t mean we have to be gung-ho or accept glorious defeat week after week, but there has to be a balance between excitement and results.

  75. Ian
    I can only echo what many have said previously it has to B but with a sprinkling of A if possible.
    B is very much what I would expect for a team such as ourselves who have been recently been promoted, survival at the higher level is the desirable outcome in the first few seasons with the intention to build and improve on that in the later years.
    Interesting to read SG’s take on the situation particularly if we are relegated:
    “We’ve worked bloody hard to get here, but no matter what comes by the end of May, nobody will have died and the world will keep spinning.”
    “Going down would be disappointing and we’re not in football to be relegated, but we’ll just get on with it. Where we’ll find ourselves is where we’ll find ourselves”.
    Very pragmatic and a lot less emotional than many of us have been with our current plight.

  77. The conundrum of results or entertainment is an interesting one. I recall Shaun Dyche mentioning that speaking with Burnley fans they made it abundantly clear to him that results were paramount at absolutely any cost, entertainment was not a factor at all. As such, over the past few seasons they’ve modelled themselves on hard British graft, no fancy dans, no latino flair and very little obvious maverick creativity.
    They scrap and compete, cede possession and take their few good chances when they come. They have a brilliant keeper, don’t give away daft goals, make few errors and generally have a good defensive record. Their recruitment has been based on British players with championship experience, low fees and frees, until recently and hardly anyone with higher flight experience who feels like he’s stepping down.
    The whole model in a lot of ways is the exact opposite to ours and it’s worked largely because they’ve had goalscorers who’ve taken their chances and players who suit the system. Three years ago Vokes & Ings scored over 20 each to get them promoted, then they got relegated by being the lowest scorers with 28 (ring any bells) and only scored 3 in their final 10 games. They were promoted again by buying Gray with the Ings money, he got 23 and Vokes scored 15.
    Our defensive record and theirs has been comparable, our recruitment model, squad skill set and goal scoring record not so much.
    I wonder if after going down the Spanish route SG is considering going the Burnley way with a view that that “brand” might suit us more or will he decide that he’s gone so far down the continental road that he needs to push on with it further. An interesting cross-roads.

  78. Ian, I don’t see A & B as mutually exclusive, but it has to be B in the short term, I’ve got no problem with that. The problem is the pragmatic football Karanka was playing was /is taking us down.
    As for Downing, he’s never been fast so I don’t buy the ‘he’s too slow’ thing.
    His poor/average form maybe down to the tactics Karanka played and the relationship Downing/Karanka had/didn’t have. We’ll find out which is true over the next few weeks. But for sure, now AK has gone all the disillusioned players have got to step up to the mark, no excuses.
    For those who don’t want Downing in the team, who is a better no.10 of left winger at Boro at the moment?
    I’m not saying he’s going to save us, I just believe there is no one in the squad who is better. My belief is our strongest three behind the main striker are Downing, Ramirez and Traore.
    Who knows Ramirez’ disillusion might be down to Karanka’s tactics, we can always hope. Traore may even feel liberated not being constantly coached from the side lines by the manager, but I wouldn’t bet on that one.

  80. I would be surprised if there was a major change in tactics under Agnew on Sunday as the team have had Karanka’s training methods ingrained in them over many months if not years.
    The best I’m hoping for is just two defensive midfielders in either 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1, any major change in tactics will probably have to wait until after the international break once they’ve had time to work on things – but I agree that Stuani on the right may be not the best interview technique for Agnew to use…

  82. Ian, plan B. Always.
    By the way I saw just two defeats live at Everton and against Spurts at Riverside. And nearly every much on TV. But I don’t think the play was that bad. I have quite enjoyed the season (except for late results).
    Quite a lot of changes at Rockliffe so far. Three coaching members out and two strikers in!
    The 65-year-old, a former Leeds, Manchester United and AC Milan forward Jordan is experienced coach – and hopefully brings some ideas how to make a goal. I hope we have scorers but making a goal has been a difficulty
    Also we have signed a 30-goal-a-season striker. Northern League champions Shildon have announced that young star Lewis Wing will join Boro. Let’s hope he will be banging them in like Leicester’s Vardy one day.
    I was sad to see Aitor leave. He was one of the best coaches we have ever had. And successful with promotion and a win rate of about 50%. We haven’t had managers like that often.
    But again, I trust that SG and AK have made the best solution for the club. Up the Boro!

  83. As Steve Agnew has appointed joe Jordan as his no 2 I think we can expect that is the management for the remainder of the season.
    Thanks for all your replies to my A or B poser. I asked the question because we are in a tricky situation and it is muck and bullets time.
    One thing we have to do is get 110% behind the team however they are playing. No player should be booed, chunters to a minimum.

  85. More good news on Boro and strikers!
    Middlesbrough FC forward Cristhian Stuani has been called up to Uruguay squad. Uruguay or me have no problem if Stuani plays on the right. He is one of our best scorers – even he is not a winger.
    Up the Boro!

  86. I have said it before, Stuani on the right may well suit the way Uruguay play, they will certainly have better players around him.
    What will be will be.
    I mentioned how the Gazette boys were called to see Steve Gibson as Mogga left the club. Now we have the Gazette cutting and pasting an exclusive interview by George Caulkin with Steve Gibson. Must stick in their craws.

  87. I agree, its unlikely that we’ll see a significant change in tactics for Sunday, but hopefully we’ll see one or two changes to the staring XI and most importantly I hope Agnew gives the players a licence to play higher up the pitch and express themselves when attacking a little more.

    1. I hope so too Nigel but AK had encouraged them to get higher up the pitch and it’s been noticeable, but they’ve been snatching at good chances, miss-directing the final ball and blazing over when they’ve got there . . that’s the problem

  88. Good news today !!
    Mrs Fat Bob agreed to come with me to the Boro next season.
    So SC promptly renewed this afternoon.
    PS
    Hope it’s the right decision !

    1. Drink?
      I’m looking forward to it as far as I’m concerned it’s a social occasion for us to go and meet friends
      Sometimes the football is incidental!

  91. Hurrrraáaahhhh!
    The Boro are saved!
    Steve ‘Aggers’ Agnew is the man of steel, SuperAggers – he’s the man to keep the Boro in the pigs trough. Noses down, bottoms with curley tails up 😉
    SuperAggers, he’s got steel, experience & a pedigree of savin clubs from relegation. And he’s got Bruiser Joe in the red corner with him. Can’t fail!
    SG says the world wont stop if Boro are relegated. Too true SG, now we’ve done an EPL smash & grab the coffers are full & ee’ve bolstered the squad for the Championship next season.
    Now final word – any fantasist who writes in Aggers we trust needs to take themselves off somewhere and get fitted up for a nice white jacket that ties up at the back.
    Boro , the team that was always going to ‘Give it a go!’ Ho, ho, ho! Is it Xmas yet?

  92. I’d like to share a special memory with you all.
    I was in the audience the very night this concert was recorded, doing a little write-up for a well-known paper. The following day, I would interview Paul Brady himself.
    The song you’ll hear was played just after the interval, when I heard that Boro were 2-0 to the good v Millwall and were heading to the top of the league.
    A spring was immediately planted in my step… a goal from (Saint) Patrick during a St. Patrick’s Day concert, we were heading to the top, and I was in the company of many extraordinarily talented musicians!
    I’m not ashamed to get sentimental and admit that I felt really lucky to be there at such a time.
    Two weeks or so later, when the concert was broadcast on BBC TWO NI (I think), (Saint) Patrick had scored again and we were again top of the league.
    The message of the song? To me, we may have high expectations and big plans, but ultimately nobody knows where we’ll end up… so make the most of the moment.
    And regardless of how things ended under Karanka, that’s exactly what I did back then.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyAOz2R9D58

    1. Simon I thought you might like to see the lyrics of Karankas song….,,
      And now, the end is near
      And so I face the final curtain
      My friend, I’ll say it clear
      I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
      I’ve lived a life that’s full
      I’ve traveled each and every highway
      But more, much more than this
      I did it my way
      Regrets, I’ve had a few
      But then again, too few to mention
      I did what I had to do
      And saw it through without exemption
      I planned each charted course
      Each careful step along the byway
      And more, much more than this
      I did it my way
      Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
      When I bit off more than I could chew
      But through it all, when there was doubt
      I ate it up and spit it out
      I faced it all and I stood tall
      And did it my way

      1. OFB @3:43pm :
        Good one OFB, but fur kenell,
        ‘travelled’ has two ‘l’s in it. ☺🐕
        To ‘ell with negativity, now AK’s gone Boro are on the up.
        Off now for a pint, either at the Rovers Return or Fox & Hounds. See you there ?..🍻

  94. As the great Anthony McCarthy said once, Karank Sinatra said Something Stupid like it’s My Way or the Highway, and though he’d got Stew Under His Skin, he got a kick out of Nuge… thanks to a late goal versus Hull.

  96. OFB
    I think I prefer Tragedy by the Bee Gees for AK’s departure. You know ‘the feelings gone & you can’t go on, it’s tragedy!’
    I reckon late night suppers with SG are to be avoided at all costs. I mean he chopped GS1, appointed the ginger munchkin, who walked. Yhen best mates Mogga, who he strung along then hung out to dry. Then along comes Aitor (in whom we trust) & then goes and buys him players he dont want.
    Super supportive Chaiman my backside. If he offered me an invite to supper you can guarantee I’d havr a previous engagement – lol

    1. I suppose that’s a tripe supper!
      Whatever happened to that ??
      Just wondering like …
      Skips off singing there’s only one Diasboro, one Diasboro there’s only..,,.,.

      1. Sorry guys amd gals my euphoria of getting my sc for next season has cheered me up after a few traumatic weeks .
        By the Way
        This was not the plan A of which I spoke..,,
        Very similar but the mentor who was coming in was not available
        This discussion I believe started after the Crystal Palace game
        We have to support our team and our interim head coach
        Dare I say it?
        Attack Attack Attack

  98. The strange thing about Mourinho’s outburst is he seems to suggest his best friend Karanka was sacked – but the statement issued by the club said it was definitely by mutual consent – in fact it was more AK’s idea that it was in the best interests of the club. So in the end he’s actually undermined his buddy’s credibility by saying the opposite.

  100. You could say Jose Mourinho is the Donald Trump of football – anybody who doesn’t agree with him is seemingly fake news.
    Which reminds me of my article last week when I talked about how part of the Mourinho methodology was to create continual controversy to produce a siege mentality within his group – now he’s accusing the Premier League of lacking in common sense for refusing to allow sides in Europe more to time to prepare.
    I’m surprised the media still lap up the arrogant nonsense that emanates from his lips – he just continues to play these games because he knows it will be blown up and dutifully reported.

  101. Maybe Karanka said ‘I did it my way’ but what was that song that Gibson sung yesterday after the Frank discussions…
    Start spreading the news, you’re leaving today [by mutual consent]
    I don’t want you part of it, you walk, you walk
    These relegation blues, are not going away
    So let’s get to the heart of it, you walk, you walk
    I want a shake up, it’s a pity we play too deep
    And find I’m still on the hill, not the scrap heap
    These little town blues [in Europe], are melting away
    I’ll make a brand new start of it, with Agnew talk
    If he can make it here
    He’ll make it anywhere
    It’s up to you, Agnew, make it work!

  103. Werder
    Jose says things to suit his own purpose, all managers do.
    Within everything he says there is some logic, some being the operative word.
    What is important is that the players front up, if they don’t fingers will be pointed.

  104. A Manchester United fan thinks we are cannon fodder and easy game. Please run that past the team Mr Agnew.
    What arrogant pillocks those Manchester United fans are, no respect at all. I hope we damage their prospects and their attitude.
    UTB,
    John

  105. Well as we all now know the axe has fallen or maybe AK ‘took a walk outside’ Captain Oates style.
    You guys have just about covered every angle since the news broke for which I thank you all.
    Like many I would like to thank AK for what he has done for my club and am really sorry he has found it impossible to kick on from his excellent start. My very best wishes go out to him and his family for the future.
    For the record I too vote for option B in Ian’s poll.
    I do want us to survive, to have a second go at the PL, to do a bit, nay a lot better than this season. If we go down we will have to start all over again albeit from a stronger financial base. That won’t guarantee us promotion though.
    The Championship is a grind, attritional, with virtually every visiting team parking the bus and hoping for a point. A part of me though would prefer that to season after season winning the odd PL game hear and there before escaping by the skin of our teeth Yes, I’m looking at you Sunderland!
    My friends husband is a devoted Sunderland supporter and he has finally had enough. He has looked north to the team he despises enjoying a new lease of life and quite fancies a bit of that for Sunderland. A fresh start.
    I don’t want to become so sick of us losing that relegation becomes a more attractive option than survival. I want us to do at least as well Stoke or West Brom or better still Southampton. Is that possible? I don’t see why not given the chairman we are so lucky to have.
    Whether we survive or not this season (probably not) the choice of manager will be vital. We have a reasonable squad but not a great one so the new boss must be able to get at least the sum of the parts out of it and preferably a bit more. It seems that this year AK has not been able to achieve that because of rigid tactical thinking and poor man management.
    The new guy must have the ability to improve in these areas while still buying into and developing the long term club structure that SG and AK have put in place. Who should that be? None of the usual suspects who are being suggested by the media fill me with confidence. I can’t suggest a name but sincerely hope that SG can.

  106. He met his Waterloo down by the Riverside, down by the Riverside.
    Right tomorrow 2-1 and the Riversides Rocking and Rolling.⚽️⚽️ For the Boro.
    And 🖕for Mourinho.
    UTB

  107. Just checked the weather forecast for Sunday TS3 postcode (Riverside) and gale force winds, 40 – 43 mph, between 1200 – 1400, even the gods are not impressed lol.
    Come on BORO.

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