Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is odds-on to be next top-flight manager to leave after their horror run of form continued with defeat at Stoke City, with his odds cut from 1/3 after being 5/2 last week.

Boro have now dropped into the relegation zone on the back of their latest loss with relegation rivals Crystal Palace, Swansea and Leicester all winning.

Middlesbrough have not won since December and nobody has scored less goals in English professional football.

A section of fans were even calling for Karanka to leave following the Stoke defeat, but the Spaniard insists he will not be leaving.

“I came here because he chairman called me and I will leave when the chairman tells me that I have to leave,” said Karanka.

“Yes, I came here because the chairman called me three years ago to help the club be in the Premier League, and I’ll leave the day the chairman says.”

Future

Our Football Insider Graeme Bailey understands that Karanka’s future will be discussed within the corridors of power at The Riverside this week.

“I have been told that Steve Gibson and his closest confidant Peter Kenyon have been at their training HQ over the last week, which is not normal,” Bailey told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“I am sure Gibson will not just be concerned by the results but the manner of them”

“I am sure Gibson will not just be concerned by the results but the manner of them, Boro are going down without a whimper – but Karanka will also know that conversations are going on.

“As I understand it, it is not 100% certain that he will be in charge of Boro for next weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City.”

Next Premier League manager to with BetVictor:
Aitor Karanka 1/3
David Moyes 10/1
Arsene Wenger 12/1

We spoke with BetVictor’s head of ante post football Michael Triffitt, who told us: “With Middlesbrough on such a very poor run of form and dropping into the relegation zone, it is no surprise to see beleaguered Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka so prohibitively short at 1/3 to be the next manager to leave.

“Coupled with the fact he has not made himself the most popular of chaps at the Riverside this term it is looking increasingly likely his time in the North East will be coming to an end shortly.”