Aitor Karanka has left his role as Nottingham Forest manager, the Championship club have confirmed.
Karanka, 45, leaves after the club accepted his request to be released from his contract, with terms of departure agreed by both parties.
The 45-year-old was appointed Forest manager in January 2018, and he leaves with the club sitting in seventh in the Championship, four points from the play-off places.
Simon Ireland has taken charge of the club until a new manager is appointed.
When given the job, Forest chairman Nicholas Randall QC explained the objective was to build the club with the aim of returning to the Premier League.
Karanka, a former Real Madrid player and coach, had previously guided Middlesbrough to promotion from the Championship, though he left his position in March 2017 after alleged disagreements with the club’s board and players.
He leaves on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in the FA Cup third round. Karanka’s final league match in charge was a stunning home victory over Leeds, with Forest securing a 4-2 defeat of the Championship leaders.
A club statement confirmed neither party will be commenting on Karanka’s departure at the present time.
Slavisa Jokanovic has now been installed as favourite to take over.
The Fulham manager is now considered a specialist at achieving promotion, having led both Watford and Fulham to the Premier League.
