Aitor Karanka has turned down the opportunity to link up with former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and now find his career at a crossroads with three-years still remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to reports.
ESPN said the former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao defender, who worked as an assistant-manager under the Portuguese boss, was invited to take up a role at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho and Karanka seemed to form a strong partnership in the time they worked together, with the latter often fulfilling press conference duties for the former when he had fallen out with journalists and didn’t want to talk.
Karanka has a contract with Los Blancos until 2016, although his chances of staying on in the Spanish capital look slim. New manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced Paul Clement and Zinedine Zidane as his assistants, while there is no vacancy at reserve team either with Real Madrid Castilla.
Speaking to ASTV, Karanka said he would sit down with Florentino Perez to discuss his options.
“Mourinho wanted me to go with him to Chelsea. But there was also the option of staying. I have a great relationship with Florentino Perez so we will sit down and talk and see what happens,” he said.
Al Ahli in Dubai are believed to be interested in talking to him about the vacant manager’s position following the resignation of Quique Sanchez Flores last month.
