Boro boss Aitor Karanka: ‘As long as I feel one player here supporting me, I will fight for him’
AITOR KARANKA says he is “not a quitter” as he looks to ease the pressure mounting on his shoulders by guiding Middlesbrough to FA Cup joy over Manchester City.
The Spaniard was fiercely criticised from the travelling supporters last week as his men slipped into the relegation zone following a 2-0 defeat at Stoke.
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka says he is ‘not a quitter’ as pressure mountsReuters
He revealed that he met chairman Steve Gibson this week, but insists he has no fears for his job, and that his only focus at the moment is overcoming Pep Guardiola’s City.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup quarter final clash at the Riverside, Karanka said: “I can’t be afraid of something that I can’t control.
“The decision is out of my hands. My concern is to prepare the team to compete on Saturday, to show them how Man City plays, and how we can beat them, this is my only concern
“I learned a new word today – that I am not a quitter.”
The defiant Karanka continued: “As long as I feel one player here supporting me, I will fight for him.
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“Because when I see their faces – disappointed because we lost and they couldn’t do their best but they tried their best, until that day I will be fighting here.
“I have players here who have been with me since I arrived here, and I will do more than my best to stay with them until the last moment.”
Karanka’s popularity with the Boro faithful has been strong ever since he took charge back in November 2013.
The Boro fans turned on the Spaniard after last week’s defeat at Stoke CityPA:Press AssociationPep Guardiola and his Manchester City side travel to the Boro on Saturday in the FA CupPA:Press AssociationAitor Karanka insists as long: ‘As I feel one player here supporting me, I will fight for him’Getty Images
However, the last two months have seen that relationship begin to strain, but he is keen to keep the fans on side.
But he admits the criticism he received last week at Stoke hurt him.
Karanka added: “As a person you can imagine (how it felt) because when you have been doing your best or working I don’t know how many hours every day, and someone told you (that you had been criticised).
“Sometimes it is a good thing when you are foreign that you don’t understand (what people are saying).”
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