Forest name Karanka as new manager

Aitor Karanka is ending a ninemonth exile from football after being named as the new manager of Nottingham Forest.

The former Middlesbrough manager has agreed a 2½-year deal at the City Ground after beating off competition from Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom.

As revealed last week by The Daily Telegraph, Karanka quickly emerged as the favourite to take charge after the dismissal of Mark Warburton a week last Sunday and has impressed Forest’s board during negotiations.

Forest secured a memorable FA Cup victory over Arsenal on Sunday under their academy manager Gary Brazil, and it is thought he could be involved in the first team.

Karanka, 44, departed Middlesbrough in March last year and has recently been interviewed by West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City. But he will make his return to management in the Championship, with his first game against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Forest identified Karanka as the leading contender because of his record of improving teams defensively – a huge concern during Warburton’s final months. Middlesbrough were promoted to the Premier League in 2016 after conceding only 31 goals in the Championship.

Nicholas Randall QC, Forest’s chairman, said: “He is an exceptional candidate who fully subscribes to the vision of the club’s owners and board. The wonderful supporters deserve success and a return to the Premier League.”