Tuesday 15 March 2016 08:55, UK
After a weekend of turmoil on Teesside, we look to explain what has happened with Aitor Karanka and Middlesbrough, and what will happen next.
Footballers have been known to go AWOL from time to time. There was Lewis Grabban going missing from the Norwich team hotel, Carlos Tevez's disappearance following a famous spat with Roberto Mancini and Pierre van Hooijdonk going on strike for lack of player investment at Nottingham Forest.
But, it is unprecedented for a manager to refuse to travel with his team for a fixture, with no excuses offered.
Karanka has bucked the trend, and caught fans and experts alike completely by surprise. What has happened at Middlesbrough, and why has such an event taken place and where do they go from here? We take a look...
What happened following midweek defeat at Rotherham?
The Spanish coach stormed out of the club's Rockcliffe Park Training Ground on Friday and told his players he didn't want to manage them again after a heated post-training row - instigated by Karanka's criticism of his players after their 1-0 defeat at Rotherham in midweek.
The former Real Madrid assistant was true to his word, and did not travel for Boro's 2-0 defeat against Charlton at The Valley on Sunday, leaving Steve Agnew to take charge of the team instead.
Did the team's form warrant Karanka's anger?
Having derailed Brighton's unbeaten start to the season with an emphatic 3-0 win at Amex Stadium, Boro hit the top of the table, and after a 1-0 win at Brentford on January 12, they held a five point lead at the top, with a game in hand.
However, three wins from the subsequent 11 matches, losing their last three on the road and scoring just one goal in the process has angered Karanka.
Those successive defeats on the road have come against sides much lower down the division - infuriating Karanka yet further.
Why did Karanka take such drastic action?
Sky sources understand that the players were concerned that criticism would damage the high morale at the club, which led to the heated team meeting taking place.
Karanka has previous with this squad. Back in August. Albert Adomah handed in a transfer request after a bust-up with his manager, before revoking it in September as the pair patched up their relationship.
Stewart Downing has also had his disagreements with Karanka, and at such a critical stage of the campaign, Karanka felt that the players were working to their own agenda, which warranted such unusual action.
Are promotion hopes in jeopardy?
Well, no. What is most surprising about all the upheaval on Teesside is that Boro are still very much primed to seal automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Despite their recent woes, Karanka's side sit second in the Championship, and victory over promotion rivals Hull on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, would strengthen their position yet further.
What's more, four of their next five matches are at home - everything is still very much in their own hands.
What was the response from players, fans and staff?
Both the Middlesbrough fans and coaching staff have certainly nailed their colours to the mast. The travelling Boro faithful sang Karanka's name at the Valley on Sunday, and voted overwhelming in local media polls, backing the Spaniard in the bust-up.
Goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich wasn't afraid to make his feelings known at the Valley, unveiling a training top with 'AK' embezzled on it.
And the players? Their woeful showing in Sunday's defeat actually gave credence to Karanka's views.
What will happen now?
According to Sky sources, the tact has changed in 48 hours. Karanka's refusal to travel with the team did not sit well with Steve Gibson and the board, casting serious doubts over the Spaniard's long-term future.
However, with Boro's inept showing at Charlton adding weight to Karanka's argument that the players are not giving him enough, Karanka has received some sympathy from the Boro hierarchy.
One way or another, Gibson is thought to be keen to resolve the issue sooner rather than later, especially with the club's pivotal clash with Hull coming up.
Ian Holloway's view
"To me it looks like they lost their focus [at Charlton]. They've lost their leader. In the Championship you have little bumps in the road that you have to overcome. You've got to be together but they've not done that.
"Are they in a mini-crisis? Yes, they are. They've been really good - had outstanding spells - but the mini-crisis to me is losing a manager of his ilk at this crucial stage in the season. At this stage you need stability, belief and togetherness.
"If there have been some arguments, well, sometimes conflict is healthy; you come out the other side stronger.
"Something's gone wrong - we don't know what - but Middlesbrough need to shake themselves down because the Hull game is massive."
