Sign up NOW for the latest Reds news and views direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Aitor Karanka has issued a fresh thank you to Nottingham Forest fans for their support, during his time in charge at the City Ground.

The Spaniard says the backing of the Reds supporters and those at Middlesbrough were the ‘best thing’ he could take from his experience at the two clubs.

Karanka says he was touched by the relationship he built with fans at both clubs.

Karanka says it was ‘a shame’ how things turned out for him at the City Ground, after departing following a deterioration of his relationship with the club hierarchy.

But he remains pleased by the bond he forged with supporters.

“The support of the fans really touched me. I’ve been a manager for just five years and in the end when you leave a club it’s disappointing,” Karanka told the Mirror.

“But both experiences, Middlesbrough and Forest, the best thing you can take is the crowds because both of them have been really supportive and good with me.

(Image: Getty Images)

“It’s a shame what happened. I waited ten months for the right project and they convinced me that it was more or less the same in what I had at Middlesbrough where I worked for two and a half years (to get promoted).

“The first season to settle in, to make changes, then the second and the third to try to go up. Look at the teams who have been promoted. Middlesbrough two and a half years, Fulham two, Norwich one and a half years. Brighton. A lot of teams and the process is at least two years.

“I had the first season (at Forest), it went as we had talked about, then the second season something changed. When you arrive at a training ground, to see and to feel the players with that uncertainty it was difficult for me.

“The Championship is the only league in the world where when it starts you have 20 teams who think they can get promotion. But only two can do it plus the play-offs.

“The turnover of managers in the Championship is incredible. Patience every day becomes less, everyone thinks you spend money and you will achieve something really quick. But it’s not like that.”

(Image: Dan Westwell)

Karanka was disappointed to leave Forest, but felt that the timing of his departure, in January, was for the best.

The experienced figure of Martin O'Neill was appointed as his replacement.

“I always think about everything in life and, for the good of the club, it allowed them to appoint a manager who got time,” said Karanka.

“The club had time to sign another coach and time to find the players for the new coach. I felt under pressure and I was trying to take all the pressure out and away from the players.

“When there are rumours that you can’t control it puts pressure on the players and this persuaded me to leave.”