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Aitor Karanka is to remain as Middlesbrough FC boss, The Gazette can confirm

The Spanish head coach will resume his first team duties with immediate effect.

Chairman Steve Gibson has defused the tension between the coach and the squad after a tense weekend and day of delicate diplomacy at Rockliffe.

Now Karanka will take training tomorrow and turn his focus straight to the top of the table Championship clash against Hull on Friday.

The demanding former Real Madrid assistant had a dressing room bust up some team members on Friday as the tension at the top has mounted.

The feisty meeting followed a simmering reaction on all sides to the midweek reverse at relegation battlers Rotherham.

(Image: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

And with the atmosphere strained he was asked to stay away from training on Saturday and was requested not to travel with the team to Charlton on Sunday for a game that ended up in a disappointing 2-0 loss.

Assistant head coach Steve Agnew stepped into the breach and both prepared for the game and took charge of the Charlton match.

But that break gave the club breathing space and allowed the dust to settle. And after a series of meetings today the head coach and the Hurworth hierarchy have agreed to Karanka’s return.

Read more Updates and reaction as Aitor Karanka's Boro future is confirmed

The Gazette understands Karanka insisted he never wanted to leave and remains 100% committed to the promotion project.

And club chiefs believe he has the ability to complete the job and get Boro into the Premier League.

However there will be some rocky relationships that will need time to heal. But all parties believe the problems can be ironed out in the weeks to come.

Boro are in second spot, seven points behind Burnley but with a game in hand. But they are only two points ahead of Hull having played a game more and have the Tigers up next at the Riverside.

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Club chiefs hope fans will rally round the restored manager for what is a crucial game.

It is understood the club and coach were heartened by the show of support for Karanka by fans, both at the game on Sunday and in the Gazette poll which showed over 80% backed him to lead the club.