Aitor Karanka Sacked by Middlesbrough With Club in Relegation Zone.
Aitor Karanka has left his job as Middlesbrough manager after discussions with the club.
The club confirmed the news in a statement on their website, which said the decision had been made as 'both parties have agreed that it is in the best interests of the club'.
It said: 'The club would like to thank Aitor for all his hard work over the past three-and-a-half years and for the success we've had during that time. We wish him all the best for the future.'
The club website also features a statement from Karanka, who leaves the club 19th in the Premier League and without a win in the league in 2017.
The messge - also tweeted from Karanka's official account - said: 'I'd like to thank Middlesbrough for a wonderful opportunity and the players, staff and all the people at the club who I have worked with. I'd also like to thank the fans for their support.
'This club will always hold a special place for me and I wish everyone connected with Middlesbrough Football Club the very best for the future.'
Assistant manager Steve Agnew takes charge of the first team with immediate effect.
Karanka joined Middlesbrough in November 13, 2013, and guided the club to the Premier League last season after reaching the play-off final in his first full season in charge.
The 43-year-old former Real Madrid defender, who was in his first full managerial role after serving as Jose Mourinho's assistant at the Bernabeu, succesfully took Boro back into the top flight following a seven year absence for the club.
However off the pitch things were not so smooth, with Karanka sensationally walking out of the club in March 2016 - one year and five days before his eventual sacking - following an argument with his players.
He missed the team's 2-0 defeat at Charlton the following weekend, before returning to the club the following Monday and overseeing an unbeaten end to the campaign.
Boro's return to the top flight has been a struggle, with the club winning only four out of 27 games so far, with no victory recorded since they beat Swansea City at the Riverside Stadium on December 17.
They are the lowest scorers in the top flight, with only 19 goals in their 27 matches, and have scored once from open play in the league in 2017 - against West Ham on January 2015 - with the team on a run of four straight blanks in the league.
The team were also knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter finals last weekend by Manchester City in what is now Karanka's last game at the club.
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Karanka's famous ill-temper has also reared its head in recent weeks, result in public spats with players such as homegrown winger Stewart Downing and January signing Patrick Bamford, who have been left out of the squad as Karanka said he wanted 'fighters' for his team.
He was also unhappy that he was unable to sign key targets in January - Boro missed out on Bojan, Gerard Deulofeu, Robert Snodgrass and Jese - criticising popular chairman Steve Gibson for a perceived lack of support. He also said the fans were not soing enough to support the team or his careful style of play.
Karanka leaves the club three points from safety and facing a difficult run in.
They host Manchester United in their next game on Sunday lunchtime, before crucial trips to relegation rivals Swansea and Hull.
Their final five fixtures include playing Arsenal and Manchester City at home, and their last two away matches are at Chelsea before laying Liverpool at Anfield on the final day.
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