HIGNETT’S KARANKA FALL-OUT

AITOR KARANKA has received a multitude of plaudits for masterminding Middlesbrough’s promotion push, but it seems he could not keep everyone happy – former assistant Craig Hignett revealing the pair were an incompatible match.

The former Boro forward left his role at the Riverside in December, despite the team showing table-topping potential.

Hignett has yet to return to the dugout since his surprise Yuletide departure, while the Championship club he left have lived up to the pressure of being a favourite for promotion.

And after several months of confusion about what sparked the decision, the 45year-old has now revealed his working relationship with the Spaniard turned sour.

“I had a falling out with him – Aitor and I had a disagreement and unfortunately it couldn’t be rectified and I left,” Hignett said.

“We obviously couldn’t work together and that was disappointing. It was just a clash of personalities.

“I’d worked with Aitor and got on well with him at the start, but things deteriorated towards the end.”