After a hugely disappointing end to the season, Middlesbrough are on the look-out for a new manager going into the summer.

The Teesside club chose not to extend the contract of Tony Pulis last week, with the club failing to win promotion to the Premier League for the second year running, after being relegated from the top-flight.

Six straight league defeats derailed Boro's bid for a play-off finish towards the end of the season, and now the 61-year old will look to move onto pastures new having been relieved of his duties at the Riverside.

Now, there is a need to replace Pulis, with club legend Jonathan Woodgate looking most likely to take the reins of the North East club following the former's departure.

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But, former manager Aitor Karanka has thrown a spanner into the works, admitting that he would open to a Riverside return of the club approached him.

In light of Karanka's fresh comments, we take a look at three reasons why he would be the perfect appointment for Boro...

Style of football

Probably one of the main reasons why Pulis was hounded out was because of his brand of football.

The veteran manager was known for playing a direct, long-ball style of play, which clearly didn't suit his players whatsoever.

Karanka, on the other hand, is known for his attractive, possession-based brand of football, and there would surely be no moans about the way his teams play if he got the job.

Experience of winning promotion

Karanka knows what it takes to be successful at this level, having experienced it first-hand with Boro.

A year after guiding them to the Championship play-off spots, he took them to automatic promotion to the Premier League, fighting off strong competition from other teams.

Reunite the fans

Middlesbrough fans are very divided right now, with several angry with the club after missing out on promotion once again.

But Karanka would be the perfect man to reunite those fans with the club, having been such a popular figure when he was first at the helm at the Riverside.

A majority of Boro fans were baffled when he left the first time around, and there is definitely a sense of unfinished business here.