Aitor Karanka 'wasn't sacked' but 'sacrificed himself' - Steve Gibson

After parting ways with manager Aitor Karanka, have Middlesbrough given themselves a better chance of Prem survival?Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has told The Times that Aitor Karanka was not sacked but rather "sacrificed himself" in order to give the club the best chance of Premier League survival.

Boro, 19th in the table with 11 games to go having scored the least goals in the division, parted company with Karanka on Thursday, but Gibson has said that following extensive discussions with Karanka a decision was made that a fresh approach was needed.

"I've had a lot of discussions with Aitor since the weekend," Gibson said. "We agreed that a different approach is required. Aitor is…