After one game with Aitor Karanka as Boro boss, Paul Wilkes, a Spanish football writer and editor of LaLigaUK, looks at the Spaniard's style and what tactics he could use at the Riverside
"Everyone sees what happens and we just want referees to let us do our thing. I was booked tonight for talking to the fourth assistant referee. We can't do anything about that. That's the situation we're in. We have faith in our work and in the club. The greater the adversity, the taller we stand."
Those were the words of Jose Mourinho's trusted lieutenant Aitor Karanka after Real Madrid had drawn a blank with Valencia back in April 2012. Karanka had become accustomed to media duties, something that Mourinho himself had done for Bobby Robson when at Barcelona.
The siege mentality, the closing of the ranks and the backs against the wall attitude are symbolic of Chelsea's Portuguese boss, but this was delivered with a touch of tranquillity by Karanka. That draw saw Madrid's lead at the top cut to four points, having led by ten a month earlier.
"The only thing left to do when wearing this shirt and crest is to keep fighting," added Karanka. Madrid won their remaining seven matches, including away victories at Atletico and Barcelona, claiming the title.
After Brendan Rodgers, Andre Villas-Boas and Steve Clarke, Karanka can be added to the list; apprentice turned master. It's arguable that Mourinho's legacy has grown more by the influence of his former colleagues than that of his return to Stamford Bridge. Having never managed, little is known of the new Middlesbrough manager in terms of suitability to the job. However, a number of short conclusions can be drawn by paying attention to his past.
The aforementioned coaches tend to flit between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, with Rodgers the only one to move off sync in recent times. As the 4-2-3-1 was Los Blancos' system under Mourinho and the 4-3-3 is embedded in the Spanish national team youth structure where Karanka spent two years coaching, it's fair to say it will likely be one of those deployed at Boro.
When the Spaniard took charge of the 5-1 win over Real Sociedad due to Mourinho's suspension, his influence over the team selection was debatable. He did give young striker Jese Rodreguez his La Liga debut as a sub, but it turned out to be his only appearance of the season in the league.
Having matured in the famed San Mames production line, he is perfectly positioned to comprehend the need to promote homegrown players.
Athletic Bilbao's self-imposed rules mean that only personnel from the region are allowed to feature for the team. That sense of identity generated in the Basque country, the understanding of the brand at the Bernabeu as both player and coach, and the adaptation of a new country and the English language when playing in America, all provide evidence that as a person he is ready for life at the Riverside.
It's an exciting time for the club and the man at the helm. Supporters need to be patient yet quietly optimistic. At least on paper, Karanka displays all the right ingredients to take Middlesbrough back to the Premier League.
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