AITOR KARANKA expects to appoint an assistant manager in the new year, and has confirmed he will be seeking a candidate with intimate knowledge of Middlesbrough.

Craig Hignett’s departure has left a vacuum in Boro’s coaching set-up, but with Leo Percovich and Carlos Cachada effectively operating as Karanka’s right-hand men, there have been suggestions that the Spaniard could opt to operate without a formal number two.

Hignett is understood to have been frustrated with his lack of day-to-day involvement prior to his departure, but Karanka maintains that he needs an assistant and will seek to make an appointment once the busy festive programme is over.

“Do I need a new assistant? Yes,” said the Middlesbrough head coach. “I will always need this kind of support because the person who will work with us will know this country, the league and the language much better than me.

“I need this help because when I was with Jose (Mourinho), I could feel how important this kind of help was. All of the team is playing really well and we are not missing anybody, but more help will be good.”

Karanka’s appointment as Mourinho’s assistant at the Bernabeu came about because the current Chelsea boss felt he needed someone with first-hand knowledge of Real Madrid to help him negotiate his way around the club.

Hignett’s return to the Riverside followed a similar pattern, with the former striker having spent six successful seasons as a Middlesbrough player, and Karanka would like his replacement to have a similar relationship with the Teessiders.

Jonathan Woodgate has been mentioned as a potential candidate, although the centre-half is back in training and determined to continue playing for as long as possible, while Gaizka Mendieta and Juninho have also found themselves linked with the position.

“It has to be a person who knows the club,” said Karanka. “If you are going to work in a club, it is important to know its philosophy and know the people who work in the club. That will help us to keep improving in the way that we are.”