Aitor Karanka wants Gareth Southgate to be given real chance in England job
Thursday 29 September 2016 15:46, UK
Aitor Karanka has backed Gareth Southgate's appointment as England caretaker manager and hopes he will remain in charge beyond the next four games.
Former Middlesbrough captain and manager Southgate, who was manager of England's U21 side, was given the role on Tuesday following Sam Allardyce's departure.
Current Boro boss Karanka, whose side travel to West Ham on Saturday, explained that he has been in regular contact with the 46-year-old during his tenure, due to a number of his players being part of Southgate's youth sides.
Karanka said: "I'm really pleased because he deserves it. I just hope that he is not manager for one or two months and he can stay in the job because I have a really good relationship with him.
"To have a national manager that was captain and manager here is a time to enjoy. He's experienced, he knows the Premier League and knows how to work with national team players."
The Spaniard was also quick to jump the defence of Southgate when asked if he was experienced enough to take the role.
He said: "He knows it is difficult, but he is not inexperienced. He is not experienced as a national team coach but he has other experiences."
However, Karanka believed that despite Southgate's Middlesbrough connection, Ben Gibson may have to wait for a full international call-up.
"We've lost three games in a row and going to the international team from losing games isn't the best thing," the former Real Madrid Assistant added.
