Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka will not be at his side’s Championship game against Charlton Athletic tomorrow amid reports that he could be on the verge of leaving the club.
The Spaniard left the training ground earlier than expected yesterday after a row at a team meeting.
He was absent from training this morning, with assistant Steve Agnew taking the session, and will also miss the game against the Addicks.
A club statement released via Boro’s website confirmed that sequence of events.
It read: “Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that Aitor Karanka did not take training on Saturday morning.
“Assistant Head Coach Steve Agnew will take charge of the team for Sunday’s fixture at Charlton Athletic.
“We appreciate supporters will want to know further details, but at this time the club cannot make any further comment and is solely focused on Sunday’s game at The Valley.”
The Guardian reports that Karanka’s use – or, to be more precise, lack of use – of big-money January signing Jordan Rhodes is a key factor in the bust-up.
Boro paid £9m to sign the Scotland international from Blackburn Rovers during the window, but he has started just four games since arriving at the Riverside Stadium.
And the club’s hierarchy also have concerns over recent form. Boro have won just three of their last 10 games and taken 12 points from a possible 30 in that period.
