Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has revealed that he has the backing of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in the Championship play-offs.

Karanka worked as Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid and he is now looking to join his former boss in the Premier League with Boro set to take on Brentford at Griffin Park in the first leg on Friday night.

Karanka said: "We are in touch every week, we spoke after Chelsea's game against Palace to tell him my congratulations, when they became champions of the Premier League.

"Now they are at home cheering for Middlesborough.

"I was working with Jose for three years and when you have that relationship he is always giving me advice because I have only been a manager 18 months and I need to learn every day.

"In this moment the main thing is to manage the emotions. It's not the same managing Real Madrid players to manage Championship players. It's different but I hope I can learn."