Tony Mowbray deserves huge credit for laying the groundwork that’s enabled Aitor Karanka to succeed as Boro boss.
That’s the view of Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman who has been hugely impressed by the immediate impact Karanka has had on Teesside, but believes the role of the Spaniard’s predecessor shouldn’t be underestimated.
Mogga was appointed as the new Coventry City boss this week, his first managerial role since his Boro departure, and although he failed to guide his hometown club to the Premier League during his time in charge, Mowbray did an admirable job of balancing the books, says Freedman.
“I don’t think many coaches get the time to get their own team out there,” admits Freedman, who was sacked as Bolton boss earlier this season before taking charge at the City Ground.
“In 18 months you have to show some sort of progression but he (Karanka) has done that.
“He works from a very good structure at that club. He is a very good coach but there has been a good structure in place there for a long time.
“They are big spenders and I would also point out that Tony Mowbray spent two years clearing the decks out there to allow Aitor Karanka to walk in with a platform to recruit very, very good young players.
“It has paid off for them, but it has been a process that has been ongoing for four or five years, which is now coming together.”
Despite Freedman’s insistence that Boro spent big, Nottingham Forest forked out £8m for Britt Assombalonga in the summer.
That financial gamble backfired when the club were slapped with a transfer embargo for failing to stay within Financial Fair Play rules.
And although Forest enjoyed a six-game unbeaten run following Freedman’s appointment, they’re still languishing 11 points off the play-off places and look set for another season in the Championship next year.
Yet with Freedman looking to nail down the job on a permanent basis he’s hoping for a storming finish to the campaign, starting against Boro with Forest looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat at Charlton.
“Obviously we have done our homework and we will make sure we have a plan to nullify one or two of their players, while making sure that we can work our own way into the game,” said Freedman.
“But with the game being at home, with the crowd being behind us, it will be all about us. It will be a very interesting game for both teams.”
He added: “We have to believe that home advantage is crucial and that could tip the balance.”
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