Where do Middlesbrough go next after Aitor Karanka’s sacking?

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After over three seasons at the helm, Middlesbrough have finally called time on Aitor Karanka’s reign at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite saving the club from free-fall when he took charge in November 2013, terrible form over the past couple of months saw him sacked last Friday. As Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has pressed the panic button, and will now be hoping the next man into the hot seat can keep them in the Premier League

Steve Agnew was in charge for the game against Manchester United at the weekend, which ended in a 3-1 defeat in spite of an improved performance. Although with games against survival rivals Swansea and Hull to come after the international break, a proper appointment is needed sooner rather than later.

Here are some of the leading contenders to replace Karanka…

Steve Agnew

In similar fashion to Leicester giving former coach Craig Shakespeare the job, Middlesbrough have handed Agnew the temporary reigns. Certainly a quick-fire option if nothing else, Gibson will be hoping that Agnew can improve team spirit from within to get Boro moving in the right direction.

He made his intentions clear in his first game at home to Manchester United at the weekend, recalling fan favourite Stewart Downing to the side after Karanka had dropped him from the match day squad. He will at least have better support from the crowd than Karanka, which should inject some much-needed positivity into the squad.

Even Agnew’s debut game on Sunday will have given a reasonable amount of hope to some fans, with Gestede’s goal the first Boro had managed in eight hours of football. They were even starting to rock an in-form Man United team before a terrible error from Valdes killed the comeback.

If the caretaker does become the permanent gaffer, Middlesbrough fans will be hoping he is more Craig Shakespeare than John Carver. Having already said he wants the job in public, major bookmakers are now pricing Agnew up as the favourite to get the job full-time.

Nigel Pearson

To some an obvious contender, it is certainly surprising that no top flight club has taken a punt on the man who kept Leicester up in their first season in the Premier League. Even more so considering he only picked up his P45 due to off-field issues. Perhaps that is fitting, as it seems that Nigel’s biggest problem is his image off the pitch.

Ostrich-gate was just one incident on a charge sheet that grew throughout the 2014-15 season, and with a managers image imperative to success in the modern game, it is probably been enough to put off a number of clubs in the league. He has though kept a club up when all seemed lost, not a million miles away from where the Boro are now.

He instilled a drive and belief in the Leicester squad that can still be traced in the squad today and would guarantee a reaction. What may count against Pearson, is that he is primarily a defensive coach, the same as Karanka. This probably isn’t what a team that has scored the fewest goals in the league needs. Still, he could provide exactly the bounce the riverside needs if Gibson takes the gamble.

The PR skills may need to improve on the side, though.

Alan Pardew

It’s fair to say ‘Pards’ rep has taken a bit of a hit over the last couple of seasons. He did lead Crystal Palace to an FA Cup final in 2016, but a disastrous second half of the season saw the Eagles dragged into a relegation fight, albeit one they survived.

Pardew failed to see out the calendar year after more poor form and few tears were shed at Selhurst Park. Even fewer fans were sad to see Pardew depart at his previous club also in the North East- Newcastle United. For all his critics, though, Pardew is able to see out the relegation dogfights and has proven so time and time before.

Newcastle did have a terrible season in 2012/13 but once they became embroiled in the battle to avoid the drop, he dug in and got the results needed. He has never been relegated when he has started the season at a club, and if he kept Boro up, he would be a good bet to bring relative stability to the club and secure more top-flight football next season.

For all his controversial moments in the past, he is a manager that can have an instant impact when he walks through the door. Exactly what they need at the moment. As a former Newcastle manager, he could receive a lukewarm reputation from fans, but Pardew has a canny knack of surprising everyone when his career appears to be on the slide.

Who’s to say he won’t do it again if given the job?