REAL MADRID
Karanka: Spaniards get behind sacked Middlesbrough boss
Víctor Valdés and Álvaro Arbeloa are among those to have sent messages of encouragement to Aitor Karanka after his Middlesbrough exit.
A host of Spanish players have taken to Twitter with messages of encouragement for compatriot Aitor Karanka after his sacking as Middlesbrough boss.
Karanka left the Riverside after three and a half years in charge on Thursday, with the Premier League club sitting three points from safety in the relegation zone.
Boro Spaniards wish Karanka the best
Goalkeeper Víctor Valdés, who the 43-year-old took to Middlesbrough in the summer, said he'd always be thankful to him for his role in reigniting his career.
And on-loan Boro striker Álvaro Negredo, a player likewise signed by Karanka in the close-season, joined Valdés in expressing his gratitude to the coach.
"Thanks for placing your faith in me, gaffer," Negredo wrote. "I wish you all the best for the future from the bottom of my heart."
Fellow summer-window Spanish recruit Antonio Barragán also followed his countrymen in tweeting a message to the former Real Madrid assistant coach.
Arbeloa: "The best is yet to come!!!"
Meanwhile, West Ham's Álvaro Arbeloa, who worked with Karanka at Real, is certain that he'll bounce back - and go on to bigger and better things.
"This has only just got started for you," Arbeloa said. "You've already shown everything you've got in you and I'm sure that the best is yet to come!!!"