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Every year when any European league begins, the system that works is one where all the clubs have the same chances of either becoming champions or being relegated. Usually, it's the clubs that just got promoted the ones that struggle more, because compared to the biggest clubs in the league, those are the ones with the lowest budget around. There tend to be some exceptions to the rule, and some incredible underdog stories like Leicester City. But stories like that happen once every generation.
The case of recently promoted club Middlesbrough who is a historic club in English football, can be put to this example. There are very few people who believe they can remain in the competition next season, but Spanish manager Aitor Karanka thinks otherwise. The coach spoke to the Daily Mail about his alleged wish to exit the club: "I never wanted to leave. I spoke with the chairman Steve Gibson. There was talk about my relationship with the players. But I came back and we went the last 10 games unbeaten and went up. That’s some manager who has no relationship with his players but can do that!
"That tells me the squad is united behind me. The players said thank-you to me in public and in private. Now we are in the Premier League. Fear is a strong word but I had this sense of uncertainty and insecurity of the unknown. We won one in five to begin and the language was an issue. After five games without a win in Spain, the chairman's packing your suitcase and waving you off. Steve was the opposite. He's an amazing man."
About his side's goals, Karanka added: "Our aim is to stay up and then build after that. I'm not going to start talking about the Europa League but people on the street are saying we can win the league like Leicester! That is almost impossible but we want to make an impact. If we are like a Spanish team with the ball and an English team without the ball, that would be good. There is no shame in hard work. We want to be organized, dedicated and defend well. We also want to have quality on the ball, players who can make things happen. That will make the fans proud of us – and that’s what matters."
Photo credit: Middlesbrough FC
