The Premier League sack race: managers on the hot seat

3. Aitor Karanka

Despite gaining a valuable point in their last game on the road at Arsenal, Middlesbrough have struggled mightily in their return to the Premier League. Aitor Karanka’s squad finds itself in 17th place with only seven points from their first nine matches. Boro play Bournemouth next at home, a perfect opportunity to gain some ground in the relegation battle and show they belong in the top-flight.

After almost three months of Premier League football, Middlesbrough have yet to pick up a home win, a factor that never bodes well with regards to a coach’s job security. The Teesiders have managed only one win so far this season, on the road against last place Sunderland (more on them later). Karanka’s men have struggled scoring goals. Their seven goals in nine matches is the second fewest in the Premier League.

Although solid defensively, as exhibited in their last match, a 0-0 tie at the Emirates against Arsenal, Karanka’s tactics must start yielding more production out of fellow Spaniard Alvaro Negredo, the lone striker in Boro’s 4-5-1 formation. A tactical change might be needed in order to provide Negredo with more support and take the initiative to the opposition. The main criticism and rumblings in the media are with respect to Karanka’s overly cautious approach. A sturdy defense is what got the Teesiders promoted last season and it is becoming evident that the Spaniard is not a proponent of free-flowing, offensive-minded soccer.

Karanka might not be the man to employ such positive tactics, not after spending years as Mourinho’s understudy in a Real Madrid system not known for joyous soccer, despite an embarrassment of riches in terms of attacking minded players. Unfortunately, the clock is starting to tick for the former Real Madrid player, and if Boro do not begin picking up wins (or even one single home win), a managerial change may soon follow.