Aitor Karanka

Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Karanka began his development with hometown club Alavés and finished it with Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao. He made his senior debut with the reserves of the latter in 1992, competing in the Segunda División. Karanka was promoted to the main squad by Jupp Heynckes in summer 1993 following the departure of Rafael Alkorta. He made his La Liga debut on 7 November by playing 90 minutes in a 1–1 away draw against Celta de Vigo, going on to feature in exactly 100 league matches in his three full seasons before joining the German coach at Real Madrid in August 1997 (replacing Alkorta who had just rejoined Athletic Bilbao). Karanka was used mostly as a backup by the capital-based team, but appeared in 33 UEFA Champions League matches for them including the final of the 1999–2000 edition, a 3–0 win over against Valencia. He missed the vast majority of the 1998–99 campaign due to a heart condition.

Athletic return, United States

For 2002–03, Karanka returned to Athletic Bilbao on a three-year contract with a €40 million buyout clause. He helped the Lions to qualify for the UEFA Cup in his second year after finishing fifth in the league. In July 2006, Karanka signed for Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. In his only season, he helped his side to the Western Conference play-off final, despite having his attempt saved by FC Dallas' Darío Sala in the penalty shootout victory in the semi-finals.

Karanka's only appearance for Spain at senior level took place on 26 April 1995, in a 2–0 defeat of Armenia in Yerevan for the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifiers. He added 14 for the under-21s, being a member of the team that finished runners-up at the 1996 European Championship in a final lost to Italy. Karanka also represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, playing four matches in a quarter-final exit.

Early career

Having first worked in a development role with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Karanka became head coach of the Spain under-16 national team in August 2008. In June 2010, he was named assistant at Real Madrid by newly appointed manager José Mourinho; he had been recommended to the role by his former club teammates Luís Figo, Predrag Mijatović and Clarence Seedorf. During their tenure, the team won the 2010–11 Copa del Rey, the 2011–12 national championship and the 2012 edition of the Supercopa de España. In July 2013, Karanka left Real after the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, who brought his own coaching staff. Mourinho offered him the opportunity to follow him to Chelsea, but he declined his offer in order to fulfill his ambition to pursue his own venture in management.

Middlesbrough

On 13 November 2013, Karanka was appointed manager of Championship club Middlesbrough, replacing Tony Mowbray. His first match in charge ended in a 2–1 defeat away to Leeds United ten days later. On 25 April 2015, in the penultimate game of the season at Fulham, Karanka sent goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos forward for an added-time corner kick with the score 3–3; with the goalkeeper out of position, the opponents scored a winner through Ross McCormack, which sent Watford into the Premier League and jeopardised Middlesbrough's own chances of promotion. He did qualify his team to the play-off final after a 5–1 aggregate win over Brentford, but they lost…

In May 2021, Karanka organised an online coaching conference in association with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, under the name AK Coaches' World. The event focused on women's football, and participants included Iraia Iturregi, Julen Lopetegui, Mila Martínez, Monchi, Ronaldo and Jorge Vilda. Karanka was appointed sporting director at the Spanish Federation in July 2025, replacing Albert Luque.