Aitor Karanka should have lost Middlesbrough job earlier, says John Hendrie
Tuesday 9 May 2017 11:37, UK
Aitor Karanka should have been sacked earlier by Middlesbrough, according to John Hendrie.
The ex-Boro striker blamed the Spaniard for the club's relegation - which was confirmed on Monday when they were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea - saying Karanka's style of play "was just too cautious".
Hendrie disagreed with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who criticised the sacking of Karanka in March, to be replaced by his assistant Steve Agnew.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Gary Neville doesn't watch Boro, week-in, week-out.
"Prior to Karanka going they were very, very negative. Very cautious, just 26 goals, that speaks for itself.
"It is plain to see, the creative ability and goal-scoring ability has not been there.
"They've gone into games hoping not to lose rather than trying to win. They won four games under Karanka - all against teams in the bottom four.
"But other struggling teams took action earlier and it worked. Boro were far too late in my opinion."
Asked what went wrong this season, Hendrie said: "I felt in the summer they needed a lot of recruitment - after limping over the line to get promotion with four straight draws.
"We needed a lot more creative and attacking players but the players they brought in didn't really help.
And Hendrie hopes Agnew remains at the club next season, even if he is not the manager.
He went on: "If he's not the manager, I'd like to see him stay with Boro in some capacity.
"We were all shocked when Steve Gibson gave Karanka the job - after always having British managers. The chairman now has a big decision to make.
"They're getting the parachute money which will help. But they need to recruit the right players but it'll be tough.
"The sooner Boro get up the better because before you know it, you run out of parachute money."
Hendrie, who made 192 appearances for the club between 1990 and 1996, is also hoping they do not have to sell too many players during pre-season.
He said: "The key is not to feel sorry for yourself. In football you must never look back, you have to look ahead.
"But there is a nucleus of players there. They must re-group and stick together.
"I'm sure Calum Chambers (on-loan) will go back to Arsenal, Ben Gibson - who has been called up by England - will have a few clubs circling over him.
"Other than that, can they hang on to the Spanish players, Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo, and will they want to appear in The Championship?
"But I think they'll keep the nucleus of the squad."
