Premier League Aim for Mourinho's Apprentice

Premier League Aim for Mourinho's Apprentice

New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has set his sights on promotion to the Premier League.

New Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has set his sights on promotion to the Premier League and he is excited to become part of the Boro family as he bids to upset the betting odds.

The former Real Madrid defender was chosen as the man to replace Tony Mowbray and take the club forward by chairman Steve Gibson.

While Karanka is fully aware it will not be easy, he is determined to achieve his goal and take the club back to the top flight for the first time since 2009.

"Getting back to the Premier League, that is the most important thing, that is why I came here, but I know it is difficult," the 40-year-old told Sky Sports.

"The chairman has said how difficult the Championship is, but we are going to work hard to get this club into that position."

Karanka has revealed Jose Mourinho, who he served as assistant at the Bernabeu, told him Middlesbrough would be the perfect place for him to take his first managerial position. With that kind of endorsement, Karanka could hardly turn the role down.

"I am very, very happy because it is my first job as a manager. I think I chose the best option because I find here a club which is like a family," he added.

"I know all about Middlesbrough, they are a very good team and everyone says this is a Premier League club and it is built like a Premier League club and now I am going to work hard to put the Boro back in that place."

Karanka's first objective will be to steer Boro away from the bottom end of the Championship. He got his reign up and running with a 2-1 defeat at Leeds, a result which left his side 18th.

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