Sunderland linked with former Middlesbrough manager

Despite looking a certainty for some time now, Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League has devastated their fans. Manager David Moyes has failed to win over the fans during his time at the Stadium of Light, and the club may now be set to replace him with a former Middlesbrough manager, who knows how to win promotion from the Championship.

Aitor Karanka spent three and a half years at Middlesbrough, guiding them back to the Premier League, before losing his job back in March as they struggled to move away from the relegation zone. 

Spanish newspaper Sport has today linked Karanka with a move back to the North East of England, as manager of Sunderland, in an attempt to replicate his success with local rivals 'Boro. 

It is expected that David Moyes will not be fired by Sunderland chiefs, but should he give in to pressure from the fans, and walk away from the club, Karanka is expected to be near the top of their list of replacements. 

Karanka has also been linked with a managerial move to another of his former clubs, with La Liga side Athletic Bilbao potentially on the look out for a new boss, with current manager Ernesto Valverde being linked with the Barcelona job.