Middlesbrough this morning parted company with head coach Aitor Karanka, with the club sat three points adrift of safety in the Premier League standings.
The 43-year-old, who arrived at the Riverside Stadium back in November 2013, succeeding Tony Mowbray at the helm, becomes the sixth managerial casualty in the Premier League this season – behind Francesco Guidolin, Bob Bradley, Mike Phelan, Alan Pardew and Claudio Ranieri.
Boro have slipped to second-bottom in the top-flight table having not won in the top-flight since December 17, 2016 – a 3-0 home win over relegation rivals Swansea City.
The former Real Madrid assistant manager helped Boro gain promotion back to the Premier League after finishing as runners-up in the 2015-16 Championship campaign, although the club currently sit three points adrift of safety, with just 11 fixtures remaining.
So, following the Spaniard’s sacking, here is how Middlesbrough fans reacted on Twitter.
After guiding them back into the top-flight, some fans were understandably upset…
@Boro it’s the end of an era
— Abbie Lince (@Abbie_Lince) March 16, 2017
@Boro no way
— Daniel Kidd (@Daniel_kidd7) March 16, 2017
@Boro so in other words the club has just confirmed relegation? Cause who else we gonna get in
— Adam Cooper (@AdamCooper94) March 16, 2017
@Boro wow!!! What’s this trend of clubs getting rid of good managers over a bit of poor form , he got us we’re we are now ! Such poor scenes
— LORD PATT (@Jordpatterson) March 16, 2017
@Boro absolutely gutted about this, knew it was coming and see why it’s happened but will never forget Aitor and what’s he’s done for @Boro
— Dale Oldfield (@daleyadamm) March 16, 2017
@Boro @RyanJCooper8 Disappointing. They just might as well, announce their relegation
— Kamohelo Phele (@KamoPhele) March 16, 2017
Whereas, given the club’s rotten form in the top-flight, some Boro faithful admitted it was the right call…
@Boro 100% the right decision
— YOUAREMYBORO (@THEREALBORO) March 16, 2017
@Boro not suprised right choice best of luck to karanka for the future
— Nightsharkk (@NightSharrkk) March 16, 2017
@Boro @premierleague that’s what buying Guzan, Gestede and Adama does to you, sorry Aitor
— Lew (@LewBligh_) March 16, 2017
@Boro @Karanka thanks Aitor but something had to change for us to survive in this league #UTB
— Leigh Stobbs (@iamstobbs) March 16, 2017
@Boro the right decision.
— Joe ward (@JosephAWard_) March 16, 2017