Steve McManaman is backing former Real Madrid teammate Aitor Karanka for success with Middlesbrough.
McManaman considers the Boro boss to be an astute tactician with a bright future.
“Of course he can be a top manager," said former Real and Liverpool midfielder McManaman.
“I think he picks and chooses when he knows when to win games.
“He knew that he had to go to Arsenal and get a result and he pinpointed in Middlesbrough's last home game against Bournemouth that they had to win the game and they did.
“Listening to him after they (Boro) played Everton he said 'we are not playing in this league, we have got our own little battle to fight' and he is doing really well.
“Talking about David Moyes or Mike Phelan now, teams that are struggling, and you look at Boro and think they should be okay.
“With the resources they have got and the fact that they have just come up I think he (Karanka) has done remarkably well."