AITOR KARANKA is still Middlesbrough’s head coach despite mounting speculation that the Spaniard is set to quit the club less than two months before the end of the Championship season.

However, The Northern Echo understands the Boro boss did leave the training ground in dramatic fashion earlier today.

With Boro going through their worst run of the season, tensions have been rising in recent weeks as Karanka has attempted to get his team back on track.

In the wake of this week’s 1-0 defeat at Rotherham, Karanka questioned the attitude of his players and appeared to accuse his squad of lacking the same desire that he has displayed since replacing Tony Mowbray.

He has already had a much-publicised bust-up with Albert Adomah earlier this season, which resulted in the winger submitting a formal transfer request, and has left star summer signing Stewart Downing on the bench for Boro’s last two matches.

Karanka is understood to have met with some of his players earlier today, only to exit the training ground before he would usually depart.

That triggered a series of rumours suggesting he had quit the club for good, however at this stage it is still expected that he will return to lead Boro as usual when they take on Charlton Athletic on Sunday.

Boro’s squad is due to travel to London tomorrow ahead of the fixture at The Valley, and the club expect Karanka to continue to be in charge.

HOW BORO FANS REACTED TO THE NEWS:

jai harding-williams ‏@JLHW17

Don't do this to me Karanka, I'll cry more than I did at my mums funeral

Dan ‏@Dan_Turner_93

If Karanka's really walked from Boro then I can think of a manager, recently promoted from that league, ex Boro player, who is free...

dan stitt ‏@D1994Stitt

Jose Mourinho and Paulo Di Canio are the only two managers that fit La Bamba, that i can think of AIIITOR KARANKA

Dylan ‏@dylanbaldam

Wouldn't blame Karanka at all, players need to step it up, last few games they haven't tried one bit

Michael Laverick ‏@Mike_is_so_2004

All this panic over Karanka leaving a meeting early. He just forgot to put the bins out. We've all been there. #Boro #Karanka

Jordan Daniels ‏@JDrSteelhammer

If Karanka goes I will be gutted... Although I have been baffled by some of his decisions. He's turned us round in two and half seasons.

Kamran ‏@K4MY_

Aitor Karanka is the best thing to have happened to Middlesbrough Football Club post relegation. He gave our fans hope again.

Ben Thompson ‏@BenBwthompson

Some boro fans seem to forget our league position and how far we've come under karanka, do not force this man out the club

Ross Young ‏@RossYoung2

If players did turn on Karanka, could you blame them? Constantly berating them in public, leave it behind closed doors and get on with it!