3 games that cost Aitor Karanka his job at Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough 0-2 Manchester City

Ultimately, their 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend was the last straw for Karanka.

And although there is no disgrace in losing to Pep Guardiola’s side, Middlesbrough were never really in the game.

It was Brad Guzan who they had to thank for keeping them in it for large periods, and although the visitors’ quality shone through in the end, the hosts didn’t do enough during the game going forward, despite there being nothing to lose and a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake.

It was a defeat that spelled the end for Karanka after three and a half years at the club.