Middlesbrough beat Crystal Palace to the appointment of Aitor Karanka

Middlesbrough have found their man in Aitor Karanka and will today (Wednesday) officially confirm the Spaniard as their new manager. Karanka, who beat off stiff competition from caretaker boss Mark Venus for the job, was also strongly linked with Crystal Palace but in the end opted for the Riverside as the place to begin his managerial career.

Karanka will reportedly sign a two-and-a-half-year-deal at Boro and will be tasked with leading the club out of the Championship and up to the Premier League. The Teesiders have been stuck in the second-tier since 2009 and with only 16 points from their opening 15 games they look set to endure yet another campaign in the ultra competitive condition.

Critics will view the appointment of Jose Mourinho's former assistant as a risk due to his lack of managerial experience. However, he is highly regarded in Spain where he helped Real Madrid win both the La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his three years at the Bernabeu.

The 40-year-old now inherits a side down in 16th in the table, hovering five points above the relegation zone and eight points adrift of the play-offs. Karanka will have a little time to get settled during the international break before he takes charge of his first match away to Leeds on 23rd November.