Middlesbrough go 'global' by opting for Aitor Karanka as new manager

The Spaniard will become Boro's first-ever non-British boss

New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka and chairman Steve Gibson (GETTY IMAGES)

Middlesbrough's owner has revealed the real reason behind his decision to appoint Jose Mourinho's former assistant Aitor Karanka as manager to replace Tony Mowbray.

The Spaniard will become Boro's first-ever non-British manager and Gibson, who has already instigated an exchange programme for his club's academy youngsters with Atletico Madrid, believes the Spanish approach is the only way to go.

"Football isn't foreign any more, it's global – we're all one," he said. "In the past I've been accused of being a little Englander but football has become global and we were searching for a first-class coach. Where that search takes us can't be in our backyard, can't be in the North-east and can't be in England – it's got to be global.

"We set down a clear template of what we were looking for and Aitor was the outstanding candidate."