It’s not so long ago that Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka was linked, albeit weakly, with the Real Madrid job.

Karanka’s links within Spain and his experience at Madrid means he pops up when a new manager is being looked for at La Liga clubs. He’s not often one of the major candidates, but someone thrown in when the story starts getting a little stale.

And that seems to be the case on Wednesday with the Spain job.

Mundo Deportivo report the Forest manager is a candidate to take over the national team.

Luis Enrique and Quique Sánchez Flores are considered favourites, but it’s claimed the list of candidates includes someone who has ‘barely been mentioned’… Aitor Karanka.

The Spanish newspaper point out it was Fernando Hierro who appointed Karanka as coach of Spain’s U15 side, before the move to Real Madrid to be Jose Mourinho’s assistant.

Nottingham Forest have big plans ahead of the new season and their transfer work so far shows the hand of Jorge Mendes is very much involved.

Karanka is also a crucial part of the plans and it’s almost unthinkable to consider him leaving the club before the Championship season even starts.