Aitor Karanka, new technical director of development of Spanish Men’s Team

The Royal Spanish Football Federation, with the aim of further refining its sporting structure to remain among the world’s top footballing powers and continue achieving success, has appointed Aitor Karanka to its organisation. He is to take on the role of Technical Director of Development for the Senior Men’s Team. As such, Karanka (18 September 1973, Vitoria-Gasteiz) returns to the RFEF after a notable career in management.

Karanka is well-acquainted with the workings of the organisation, having served as U-16 national coach between 2008 and 2010, taking part in the development and training of many youngsters who later went on to play for the senior team. Those were years in which he immersed himself in the national youth development model under the guidance of the RFEF.

From 2010 to 2013 he worked as assistant coach at Real Madrid CF, achieving excellent results and contributing to the expansion of the club’s honours list. That period shaped him and encouraged him to make the leap, and in November 2013, he took on his first role as head coach at Middlesbrough FC until March 2017, leading the British side to promotion to the Premier League and establishing a clear playing style.

Additionally, in England he also managed Nottingham Forest FC (2018) and Birmingham City FC (July 2020 to March 2021) before arriving at Granada CF, where he remained for nine months (April 2022 to November 2022). His most recent adventure as head coach took him to Israel, with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, a club he guided to European competitions and the semi-finals of the Israel State Cup.

During this period, it is also worth noting that Aitor Karanka has served, since 2020, as a UEFA Technical Observer. He has delivered masterclasses at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon for new coaches and has contributed to the development and evolution of European football at the highest level. He has also taken part in the analysis and study of major UEFA competitions such as the Champions League, the European Championships, and the Nations League, establishing numerous international connections and maintaining a strong link with the continent’s governing body for football.

With his appointment, Karanka will now begin working in the technical department of the RFEF and will maintain a direct and permanent relationship with Luis de la Fuente, national team coach, and with the rest of the Federation’s staff. Fifteen years on, Aitor Karanka returns to the RFEF, which has always been his home and now welcomes him back with open arms.