Birmingham City have confirmed the appointment of Aitor Karanka as their new manager, with the Spaniard signing a three-year deal.
Aitor Karanka Appointed Birmingham City Head Coach
Experienced Head Coach
The Spaniard has plenty of experience at Championship level, having managed two clubs in the division.
His first role as a manager came with Middlesbrough, having previously been assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
The 46-year-old enjoyed a successful period with the North East side. He took Middlesbrough to the play-off final during his first full season, having finished 12th in the 2013/14 season. However, they were defeated at Wembley by Norwich City.
Middlesbrough then went one better the season after, as Karanka guided them to a second-placed finish. They collected 89 points, pipping Brighton & Hove Albion to second place on goal difference.
However, he was sacked the following season, with the club lingering in the relegation zone.
Following his dismissal by Middlesbrough, he was then appointed as Nottingham Forest manager in January 2018. A period of seven games undefeated steered Forest away from the relegation zone, following a disappointing first half of the season.
However, Karanka was then sacked by Forest in January 2019, despite the club sitting in seventh place.
His defensive style of play may have contributed to his sacking, but it did prove to be successful. Forest looked like a side that could challenge for the Championship play-offs; they lost just once in 13 games between September and December.
A Good Appointment By Birmingham?
Karanka succeeds Pep Clotet at Birmingham after he was dismissed by the club towards the end of the season.
The 46-year-old’s experience at Championship level could prove useful for Birmingham, who finished 20th in the 2019/20 table.
The Blues could count themselves lucky that they were not relegated, too. They failed to win any of their last 14 games, meaning they finished only two points above the relegation zone.
While it will take time for Karanka to build his squad, it could prove to be a shrewd appointment.
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