Aitor Karanka says he has support of Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson
Thursday 9 March 2017 15:33, UK
Aitor Karanka remains confident he has the support of Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson despite a run of 10 games without a win.
The 43-year-old Spaniard will send Boro into FA Cup quarter-final battle with Manchester City on Saturday having seen them slip into the Premier League's bottom three last weekend.
Boro's worrying run of form has led to some supporters voicing their concerns and has increased speculation that a managerial change could take place at the Riverside.
But Karanka is feeling secure in his role and when asked if he felt he still had Gibson's full support, he replied: "Of course. He showed me after one month when I arrived here. I don't need to feel it every day because he showed me just one month after I came here.
"The most difficult moment for me was when I arrived here and we lost three games, we drew one and we won just one. He was the first one who told me of his confidence, so since that day, I feel his confidence."
Asked if the speculation about his future had made him more determined to succeed, Karanka said: "No, because I am the first critic, so I don't need to hear the criticism.
"Even last season when everybody told me I was the best or the when we beat Manchester City in the FA Cup two years ago and everybody told me I was the best, I have said always that the day I think I am the best, I will go home because that day, I will die.
"Look, I am starting my career and every single situation is new. I have to learn, I have to modify, I need to know the mistakes I am making, I need to know the things I can improve because I am learning and I have to try to bring the best from the players.
"Now I think the only thing I can do is to give them all my confidence because now it's about their confidence."
