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Aitor Karanka

{{Short description|Spanish footballer (born 1973)}}

{{family name hatnote|Karanka|De la Hoz|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Aitor Karanka

| image = Aitor Karanka.jpg

| caption = Karanka in 2009

| fullname = Aitor Karanka de la Hoz{{cite news|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/envivos/fichas/1/026/26.html|title=Aitor KARANKA de la Hoz|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|access-date=25 June 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|9|18|df=y}}

| birth_place = Vitoria, Spain

| height = 1.81m

| position = Defender

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Corazonistas

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = Alavés

| youthyears3 = 1991–1992

| youthclubs3 = Athletic Bilbao

| years1 = 1992–1994

| clubs1 = Athletic Club B

| caps1 = 53

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 1993–1997

| clubs2 = Athletic Bilbao

| caps2 = 118

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 1997–2002

| clubs3 = Real Madrid

| caps3 = 93

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2002–2006

| clubs4 = Athletic Bilbao

| caps4 = 64

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2006

| clubs5 = Colorado Rapids

| caps5 = 28

| goals5 = 0

| totalcaps = 356

| totalgoals = 6

| nationalyears1 = 1993–1996

| nationalteam1 = Spain U21

| nationalcaps1 = 14

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1996

| nationalteam2 = Spain U23

| nationalcaps2 = 4

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 1995

| nationalteam3 = Spain

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 1994–2004

| nationalteam4 = Basque Country

| nationalcaps4 = 6

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2008–2010

| managerclubs1 = Spain U16

| manageryears2 = 2013–2017

| managerclubs2 = Middlesbrough

| manageryears3 = 2018–2019

| managerclubs3 = Nottingham Forest

| manageryears4 = 2020–2021

| managerclubs4 = Birmingham City

| manageryears5 = 2022

| managerclubs5 = Granada

| manageryears6 = 2023

| managerclubs6 = Maccabi Tel Aviv

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ESP}}}}

{{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}

{{Medal|Runner-up|1996 Spain|}}

{{Medal|B|1994 France|}}

}}

Aitor Karanka de la Hoz (Basque and {{IPA|es|ajˈtoɾ kaˈɾaŋka}}; born 18 September 1973) is a Spanish football manager and former player.

Save for a brief spell in the United States at age 32, Karanka played solely in Spain for Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, appearing in 275 La Liga matches over 13 seasons and winning six honours with the latter. He earned one cap for Spain, in 1995.

Karanka started his managerial career in the late 2000s, working as assistant manager at Real Madrid during José Mourinho's tenure as manager from 2010 to 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2010/06/07/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1275916310.html|title=Butragueño: "Karanka representa los valores de la casa"|trans-title=Butragueño: "Karanka is what this place stands for"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=7 June 2010|access-date=7 December 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/9219288/Cristiano-Ronaldo-is-the-best-in-the-world-says-Real-Madrid-assistant-coach-Aitor-Karanka-after-Barcelona-win.html|title=Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world, says Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka, after Barcelona win|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=22 April 2012|access-date=7 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/news/story/_/id/1237601/aitor-karanka-demanding-focus-from-real-madrid-agaist-betis|title=Karanka demanding focus from Real|publisher=ESPN FC|last=Delaney|first=Miguel|date=23 November 2012|access-date=27 February 2022}} He was appointed manager of EFL Championship club Middlesbrough in 2013, guiding them to promotion to the Premier League in 2016 before being dismissed the following year. He then managed Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City in the Championship, before brief top-flight spells at Granada in Spain and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League.

Playing career

=Club=

==Athletic / Real Madrid==

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Karanka played as a youth with hometown club Alavés and finished his formation with Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao. He made his senior debut with the reserves of the latter in 1992, competing in the Segunda División.

Karanka was promoted to the main squad by Jupp Heynckes in 1993 following the departure of Rafael Alkorta. He made his La Liga debut on 7 November in a 1–1 away draw against Celta Vigo (90 minutes played),{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1993/11/07/pagina-19/1479540/pdf.html|title=Heynckes lleva a cabo la revolución que anunció|trans-title=Heynckes delivers promised revolution|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last1=Mínguez|first1=Antonio|last2=Castañeda|first2=Eduardo|language=es|date=7 November 1993|access-date=10 January 2014}} going on to feature in exactly 100 league matches in his three full seasons before joining the German coach at Real Madrid in 1997 (replacing Alkorta, who had just rejoined Athletic Bilbao).{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1997/08/13/deportes/871423202_850215.html|title=Karanka, defensa central del Athletic, acepta la oferta para fichar por el Madrid|trans-title=Karanka, Athletic central defender, accepts the offer to sign for Madrid|newspaper=El País|last=Galaz|first=Mábel|language=es|date=13 August 1997|access-date=15 November 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com./EMD03/HEM/1997/08/14/MD19970814-021.pdf|title=Llegó el central|trans-title=Stopper has arrived|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Carbajosa|first=Carlos E.|language=es|date=14 August 1997|access-date=7 December 2012}}

Karanka was used mostly as a backup with the capital-based team but appeared in 33 UEFA Champions League matches for them,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/players/karanka-in-ec.html|title=Aitor Karanka de la Hoz – Matches in European Cups|last=Pla Díaz|first=Emilio|website=RSSSF|access-date=28 October 2006}} including the final of the 1999–2000 edition against Valencia (3–0 win).{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/24/championsleague.sport1|title=Real Madrid 3–0 Valencia|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 May 2000|access-date=28 November 2017}} He missed the vast majority of the 1998–99 campaign due to a heart condition.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1998/marzo/04/deportes/karanka.html|title=Karanka y su corazón dicen hasta pronto|trans-title=Karanka and his heart say see you later|newspaper=El Mundo|last=Carbajosa|first=Carlos E.|language=es|date=4 March 1998|access-date=14 December 2010}}

==Athletic return / United States==

File:Karanka.jpg

For 2002–03, Karanka returned to Athletic Bilbao on a three-year contract with a €40 million buyout clause.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com./EMD03/PUB/2002/05/29/EMD20020529008MDG.pdf|title=El mejor refuerzo|trans-title=The best addition|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Cuenca|first=Nika|language=es|date=29 May 2002|access-date=7 December 2012}} He helped the Lions qualify for the UEFA Cup in his second year after finishing in fifth place in the league.

In 2006, Karanka joined Major League Soccer (MLS) club Colorado Rapids in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/07/real-madrid-got-real-test-union-says-kak%C3%A1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907094807/http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/07/real-madrid-got-real-test-union-says-kak%C3%A1|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|title=Real Madrid got real test from Union, says Kaká|publisher=Philadelphia Union|date=24 July 2011|access-date=11 December 2011}} In his only season in MLS, he helped Colorado to the Western Conference play-off final, despite having his attempt saved by Darío Sala in the penalty shootout victory over FC Dallas in the semi-finals.{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/rapids/ci_4569406|title=Shootout repeats history|newspaper=The Denver Post|last=Forbes|first=Brian|date=29 October 2006|access-date=17 May 2015}}

=International=

Karanka only played once for Spain at senior level, on 26 April 1995 against Armenia in Yerevan (2–0 win) for the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifiers.{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1995/04/27/pagina-4/1303698/pdf.html|title=Amavisca se estrena|trans-title=Amavisca gets his first|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Gallego|first=Jesús|language=es|date=27 April 1995|access-date=26 April 2013}} He made 14 appearances for the under-21s and was a member of the team that finished runners-up at the 1996 European Championship in a final lost to Italy.{{cite web|url=http://www.orgullobianconero.vavel.com/2013/06/18/italia-ya-gano-un-europeo-a-espana-en-el-1996/|title=Italia ya ganó un Europeo a España en el 1996|trans-title=Italy have already won European Championships against Spain in 1996|publisher=Orgullo Bianconero|language=es|date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113165559/http://www.orgullobianconero.vavel.com/2013/06/18/italia-ya-gano-un-europeo-a-espana-en-el-1996/|access-date=13 November 2013|archive-date=13 November 2013}}

Karanka also represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, playing in four matches in an eventual quarter-final exit.{{FIFA player|176650}}

Coaching career

Karanka's first role in management was with the Spanish under-16s national team.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

In June 2010, Karanka was appointed assistant manager at former side Real Madrid by newly appointed manager José Mourinho.{{cite news|url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/karanka-sera-segundo-entrenador-pidio/20100606dasdaiftb_28/Tes|title=Karanka será el segundo entrenador que pidió Mourinho|trans-title=Karanka will be the assistant coach requested by Mourinho|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Colino|first=Carmen|language=es|date=6 June 2010|access-date=7 December 2012}} Three years later, he left the club following the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, who brought his own coaching staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadridnews.com/aitor-karanka-and-real-madrid-part-ways/|title=Aitor Karanka and Real Madrid part ways|publisher=Real Madrid News|last=Collins|first=Paul|date=16 July 2013|access-date=4 August 2013}}

=Middlesbrough=

File:Ian Holloway Aitor Karanka December 2014.jpg manager Ian Holloway in December 2014]]

On 13 November 2013, Karanka was appointed manager of Championship club Middlesbrough, replacing Tony Mowbray.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24925713|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough name ex-Real Madrid man as boss|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 November 2013|access-date=13 November 2013}} His first match in charge ended in a 1–2 away defeat against Leeds United, ten days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24969676|title=Leeds United 2–1 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 November 2013|access-date=23 November 2013}}

On 25 April 2015, in the club's penultimate game of the season away to Fulham, Karanka sent goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos forward for an added-time corner kick with the score 3–3. With the goalkeeper out of position, the opponents scored a winner through Ross McCormack, which sent Watford into the Premier League and jeopardised Middlesbrough's own chances of promotion.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32470333|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough risk dents Premier League dream|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 April 2015|access-date=25 April 2015}} He did qualify his team to the play-off final after a 5–1 aggregate win over Brentford,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32636569|title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Brentford|publisher=BBC Sport|last1=Newsum|first1=Matt|date=15 May 2015|access-date=20 May 2015}} but they lost the decisive match 0–2 to Norwich City at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32776552|title=Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Shepka|first=Phil|date=25 May 2015|access-date=25 May 2015}}

On 7 August 2015, Karanka signed a new four-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33825905|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough head coach signs new deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2015|access-date=7 August 2015}} Boro were consistently in high positions during the campaign, but on 11 March 2016 he unexpectedly left the training ground after an argument and considered his future at the club. Responsibilities for the subsequent match, at Charlton Athletic, were handed to his assistant Steve Agnew,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35793540|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough head coach considering future at Riverside|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 March 2016|access-date=12 March 2016}} but the Spaniard returned to lead the team to the top division after a seven-year absence, as league runners-up.{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1098932/middlesbrough-promoted-to-the-premier-league/|title=Middlesbrough strike it rich with Premier League promotion|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=7 May 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}}

In 2016–17, Karanka led Middlesbrough to the last eight of the FA Cup, where they were eliminated by Manchester City. He was sacked on 16 March 2017 with the team three points from top-flight safety and without a league win in the new year (while their defence was the fifth best in the division, their attack was the worst with just 19 goals from 27 matches, and he had disagreements with players, fans and the board).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39291081|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough sack manager after three and a half years|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 March 2017|access-date=16 March 2017}} Club and manager parted ways by mutual consent, as the latter believed he could take the team no further.{{Cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/10804567/middlesbrough-chairman-steve-gibson-says-tired-aitor-karanka-sacrificed-himself|title=Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says tired Aitor Karanka 'sacrificed himself'|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 March 2017|access-date=17 March 2017}}

=Nottingham Forest=

On 8 January 2018, Karanka returned to the Championship after being appointed as manager of Nottingham Forest.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2018/january/nottingham-forest-sign-new-manager/|title=Nottingham Forest sign new manager|publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C.|date=8 January 2018|access-date=9 January 2018}} He replaced Gary Brazil, who had been acting as caretaker manager following the dismissal of Mark Warburton on 31 December 2017, who had in turn left the side sitting 14th in the league.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42528150|title=Mark Warburton: Nottingham Forest sack manager after nine months in charge|publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2017 |access-date=1 January 2018}} His first match in charge saw Forest suffer a 1–0 defeat to Aston Villa, just days after his appointment.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/january/nottingham-forest-vs-aston-villa-on-13-jan-18/#|title=Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa on 13 Jan 18 - Match Centre - Nottingham Forest|access-date=29 July 2020|date=13 January 2018}} Karanka met his former club Middlesbrough for the first time on 7 April, where Forest were defeated 2–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/201718/april/middlesbrough-vs-nottingham-forest-on-07-apr-18/#|title=Middlesbrough vs Nottingham Forest on 07 Apr 18 - Match Centre - Nottingham Forest|access-date=29 July 2020|date=7 April 2018}}

During his first summer transfer window in charge, prior to his first full season as manager, Forest signed João Carvalho from Benfica for £13.2 million, the club's most expensive transfer acquisition.{{cite web |title= João Carvalho transferred to Nottingham Forest |url=https://www.slbenfica.pt/en-us/agora/noticias/2017_2018/06/14/futebol-benfica-joao-carvalho-transferido-para-o-nottingham-forest |publisher=S.L. Benfica|date=14 June 2018}}{{cite news|title=Forest agree double signing|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2018/june/forest-agree-double-signing/|publisher=Nottingham Forest Football Club|date=14 June 2018}} Forest began the season very well, which originally saw them establish a five-match undefeated run.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2018/august/match-report-forest-vs-birmingham-city/|title=Forest 2–2 Birmingham|publisher=Nottingham Forest Website|access-date=29 July 2020}} They continued their positive form up until December,{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2018/december/match-report-forest-vs-ipswich-town/|title=Forest 2–0 Ipswich|publisher=Nottingham Forest Website|access-date=29 July 2020|date=1 December 2018}} where they only won one out of six matches during the final month of the year, which would ultimately cost Karanka his position.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2018/december/match-report-millwall-vs-forest/|title=Millwall 1–0 Forest - Nottingham Forest Website|access-date=29 July 2020}} On 11 January 2019, he departed the City Ground after requesting to be released from his contract. He left the team in seventh position, four points behind the play-off places.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46822599|title=Aitor Karanka: Nottingham Forest manager leaves Championship club|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 January 2019|access-date=11 January 2019}} A key reason behind Karanka's departure was the breakdown in relationship between him and Forest's Chief Executive, Ioannis Vrentzos. Forest's ambitious board were dissatisfied with Forest's play-off challenge and felt that the club should have been challenging for the automatic promotion places.{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Daniel|title=Nottingham Forest chief executive Ioannis Vrentzos considering his role within the club|url=https://theathletic.com/2565880/2021/05/06/nottingham-forest-chief-executive-vrentzos-considering-role-club/|access-date=2021-05-06|website=The Athletic|date=6 May 2021 }}

=Birmingham City=

On 31 July 2020, after 18 months away from management, Karanka was appointed head coach of EFL Championship club Birmingham City on a three-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12040127/aitor-karanka-appointed-birmingham-city-head-coach |title=Aitor Karanka appointed Birmingham City head coach |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020}} On 16 March 2021, the club confirmed that he had stepped down from his role after a run of just three wins in 19 matches left the team just outside the relegation zone.{{Cite web |title=Club Statement: Aitor Karanka |url=https://bcfc.com/news/articles/2021/club-statement-aitor-karanka/ |date=16 March 2021 |access-date=16 March 2021 |website=Birmingham City F.C. |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422044623/https://bcfc.com/news/articles/2021/club-statement-aitor-karanka/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news|date=14 March 2021|title=Karanka and Birmingham part ways|website=Marca|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/premier-league/2021/03/14/604e46eee2704eaeaa8b4590.html |access-date=14 March 2021}} Former Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer was announced as his successor shortly afterwards.{{Cite news |title=Lee Bowyer: Birmingham City appoint former Charlton boss as replacement for Aitor Karanka |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12246948/lee-bowyer-birmingham-city-appoint-former-charlton-boss-as-replacement-for-aitor-karanka |date=16 March 2021 |access-date=16 March 2021|website=Sky Sports}}

=Granada=

Following a 4–1 defeat at home to Levante on 17 April 2022, Granada dismissed interim head coach Rubén Torrecilla and appointed Karanka as his replacement, tasked with using the remaining six matches to avoid relegation from La Liga.{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2022/04/18/625dc2c646163f32678b4602.html |title=Granada announce Aitor Karanka as new head coach |first=Jorge |last=Azcoytia |website=Marca |date=18 April 2022 |access-date=4 April 2025}} He made his debut on 20 April, securing a goalless draw at reigning champions Atlético Madrid,{{cite news |title=Atletico Madrid fail to strengthen top-four bid after goalless draw |url=https://www.the42.ie/atletico-madrid-granada-match-report-5743524-Apr2022/ |access-date=27 April 2022 |publisher=The 42 |date=20 April 2022}} and won two of the remaining fixtures, but a final-day draw against Espanyol was not enough to secure safety.{{cite news |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2022/05/22/granada-relegated-in-spain-after-missed-penalty/50267993/ |title=Granada relegated in Spain after missed penalty |website=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=22 May 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022}}

Karanka was confirmed as the club's head coach for the coming season,{{cite web |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20220607/1001819111/karanka-sigue-entrenador-granada.html |title=Karanka sigue como entrenador del Granada |language=es |trans-title=Karanka continues as Granada head coach |first=Julio |last=Terrón |newspaper=Mundo Deportivo |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022}} but was sacked on 8 November 2022, after one win in five matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.granadacf.es/noticia/comunicado-oficial-aitor-karanka|title=Comunicado Oficial Aitor Karanka|trans-title=Official Statement Aitor Karanka|publisher=Granada CF|language=es|date=8 November 2022|accessdate=4 April 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-middlesbrough-manager-aitor-karanka-25473138 |title=Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka sacked by Granada after seven months in the job |first=Craig |last=Johns |website=TeessideLive |date=9 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022}}

=Maccabi Tel Aviv=

On 4 January 2023, Karanka signed an 18-month deal at Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League.{{cite news |last1=Rubio |first1=Alberto |title=Karanka, nuevo entrenador del Maccabi Tel Aviv |trans-title=Karanka, new manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-internacional/2023/01/04/63b547f122601d5e418b4590.html |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Marca |date=4 January 2023 |language=Spanish}} He left by mutual accord on 25 June, having finished third in the league and reached the semi-finals of the State Cup.{{cite news |title=Aitor Karanka no continuará como entrenador del Maccabi Tel Aviv|trans-title=Aitor Karanka will not continue as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv |url=https://www.cope.es/deportes/futbol/futbol-internacional/noticias/aitor-karanka-continuara-como-entrenador-del-maccabi-tel-aviv-20230625_2781155 |access-date=4 April 2025 |publisher=Cadena COPE|date=25 June 2023 |language=Spanish}}

Other work

In May 2021, Karanka organised an online coaching conference in association with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, under the name AK Coaches' World. The event focused on women's football, and participants included Ronaldo, Julen Lopetegui, Monchi, Iraia Iturregi, Jorge Vilda and Mila Martínez.{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2021/05/14/609e74db268e3ed16e8b45d7.html |title=Aitor Karanka launches AK Coaches' World |first=Alberto |last=Rubio |website=Marca |date=14 May 2021 |access-date=11 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2021/05/14/609e6b4746163f37798b4574.html |title=Women's football set to take centre stage at AK Coaches' World |website=Marca |date=14 May 2021 |access-date=11 January 2022}}

Personal life

Karanka's younger brother, David, is also a former footballer. A striker, he also appeared for Athletic Bilbao's first team but with much less impact, going on to spend the vast majority of his professional career in the second level or the lower leagues.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2002/05/20/mas_futbol/1021845623_850215.html|title=David Karanka desvela que Aitor puede volver a Bilbao|trans-title=David Karanka reveals Aitor may return to Bilbao|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=20 May 2002|access-date=13 November 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.laverdad.es/murcia/v/20111004/deportes_murcia/mas-futbol/anos-nada-20111004.html|title=33 años no son nada|trans-title=33 years is nothing|newspaper=La Verdad|last=Ripalda|first=Pallarés|language=es|date=4 October 2011|access-date=13 November 2013}}

Career statistics

=Club=

class=wikitable style=text-align:center

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

rowspan=2|Club

!rowspan=2|Season

!colspan=3|League

!colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, U.S. Open Cup}}

!colspan=2|Continental

!colspan=2|Other

!colspan=2|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="3"|Athletic Club B

|1993–94{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j37.html |title=Karanka: Player |website=BDFutbol |access-date=13 June 2022}}

|rowspan="2"|Segunda División

|38

2colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—382
1993–94

|15

0colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—150
colspan="2"|Total

!53

2colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—532
rowspan="5"|Athletic Bilbao

|1993–94

|rowspan="4"|La Liga

|18

01000colspan="2"|—190
1994–95

|32

1204{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in UEFA Cup}}0colspan="2"|—381
1995–96

|31

03000colspan="2"|—340
1996–97

|37

12000colspan="2"|—391
colspan="2"|Total

!118

28040colspan="2"|—1302
rowspan="6"|Real Madrid

|1997–98

|rowspan="5"|La Liga

|18

0205{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}02{{efn|name=SCE|Appearances in Supercopa de España}}0270
1998–99

|4

030000070
1999–2000

|22

03011{{efn|name=UCL}}03{{efn|Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup}}0400
2000–01

|35

00011{{efn|name=UCL}}01{{efn|Appearance in Intercontinental Cup}}0480
2001–02

|14

0706{{efn|name=UCL}}02{{efn|name=SCE}}0270
colspan=2|Total

!93

0150330801490
rowspan="5"|Athletic Bilbao

|2002–03

|rowspan=4|La Liga

|24

210colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—252
2003–04

|34

010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—350
2004–05

|6

0303{{efn|name=UC}}0colspan="2"|—120
2005–06

|0

00000colspan="2"|—00
colspan=2|Total

!64

2503000722
Colorado Rapids

|2006For MLS: {{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/karanka/2/ |title=Karanka: Club matches|website=worldfootball.net |date=30 December 2016 |publisher=HeimSpiel Medien |access-date=13 June 2022}}
For U.S. Open Cup: {{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rapids-defeat-salt-lake-1-0-and-advance-to-quarterfinals-of-us-open-cup/n-3355904 |title=Rapids defeat Salt Lake 1–0 and advance to quarterfinals of US Open Cup |website=OurSports Central |date=2 August 2006 |access-date=13 June 2022}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match?gameId=205345 |title=2006 U.S. Open Cup, First Round: LA Galaxy 3–1 Colorado Rapids |website=ESPN.co.uk |date=23 August 2006 |access-date=13 June 2022}}

|Major League Soccer

|27

020colspan="2"|—3{{efn|Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs}}0320
colspan="3"|Career total

!355

63004001104366

{{notelist}}

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain

|1995

|1

|0

colspan="2"|Total

!1

!0

=Managerial=

{{updated|match played 20 May 2023}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: left"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

{{abbr|P|Matches played}}{{abbr|W|Matches won}}{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
Middlesbrough

|13 November 2013

|16 March 2017

{{WDL|171|80|42|49|decimals=1}}

|style="text-align:center"|

Nottingham Forest

|8 January 2018

|11 January 2019

{{WDL|52|16|19|17|decimals=1}}

|style="text-align:center"|

Birmingham City

|31 July 2020

|16 March 2021

{{WDL|38|8|11|19|decimals=1}}

|style="text-align:center"|{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2534 |title=Managers: Aitor Karanka |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=4 April 2025}}

Granada

|18 April 2022

|8 November 2022

{{WDL|21|8|7|6|decimals=1}}

|style="text-align:center"|{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l37.html?cat=&temp=2022-23%232021-22&equip=59&rival=&pgep= |title=Karanka Matches: 2021–22, 2022–23: Granada |website=BDFutbol |access-date=4 April 2025}}

Maccabi Tel Aviv

|4 January 2023

|25 June 2023

{{WDL|23|12|7|4|decimals=1}}

|style="text-align:center"|{{cite web |url=https://www.sofascore.com/manager/aitor-karanka/96518 |title=Aitor Karanka manager |website=Sofascore |access-date=4 April 2025}}

colspan=3|Total

{{WDLtot|305|124|86|95|decimals=1}}

!—

Honours

=Player=

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2000–01{{cite web|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/sobre-el-real-madrid/el-club/historia/jugadores-de-leyenda-futbol/aitor-karanka-de-la-hoz|title=Central sobrio y con un palmarés espectacular|trans-title=Clean-cut stopper with spectacular honour sheet|publisher=Real Madrid|language=es|access-date=25 June 2019}}
  • Supercopa de España: 1997, 2001
  • UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, 1999–2000, 2001–02{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/aitor-karanka-tres-anos-juntos-piensa-como-mourinho-2360565/0/|title=Karanka: "Tras tres años con Mourinho, pienso como él"|trans-title=Karanka: "After three years with Mourinho, I think like him"|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=28 January 2015|access-date=25 June 2019}}

Spain U21

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 1996;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1996/05/29/085.html|title=2–1: Iván colmó un Montjuic casi vacío|trans-title=2–1: Iván brought down nearly empty Montjuic|newspaper=ABC|last=Ortego|first=Enrique|language=es|date=29 May 1996|access-date=25 June 2019}} third place: 1994{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1994/04/16/pagina-18/1290336/pdf.html|title=España pierde la inocencia|trans-title=Spain lose innocence|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|last=Aguilar|first=Francesc|language=es|date=16 April 1994|access-date=25 June 2019}}

=Manager=

Middlesbrough

  • Football League Championship runner-up (promotion): 2015–16{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36176217|title=Middlesbrough 1–1 Brighton & Hove Albion|last=Newsum|first=Matt|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}}

Individual

  • Football League Championship Manager of the Month: January 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/aitor-karanka-named-sky-bet-championship-manager-of-the-month-2249775.aspx|title=Aitor Karanka named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month|publisher=The Football League|date=6 February 2015|access-date=6 February 2015}} September 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2014/aitor-karanka-george-burley-don-goodman-sky-bet-championship-2735410.aspx|title=Aitor Karanka named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=9 October 2015|access-date=23 November 2015}} December 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2016/aitor-karanka-named-sky-bet-championship-manager-of-the-month-2888688.aspx|title=Aitor Karanka named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month|publisher=The Football League|date=9 January 2016|access-date=17 May 2016}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • {{BDFutbol|37}}
  • {{Athletic Bilbao profile|id=260/karanka}}
  • {{NFT player|11258}}
  • {{UEFA player}}

{{Spain men's football squad 1996 Summer Olympics}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Managerial positions

| list1 =

{{Middlesbrough F.C. managers}}

{{Nottingham Forest F.C. managers}}

{{Birmingham City F.C. managers}}

{{Granada CF managers}}

{{Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. managers}}

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Karanka, Aitor}}

Category:1973 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Vitoria-Gasteiz

Category:Spanish men's footballers

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