Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has already started planning next season as he intends to win promotion to the Premier League.

After occupying the automatic promotion for a large part of the season, Boro were beaten by Norwich City 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley on Monday and will now have to start from scratch next term.

The Spaniard believes that Boro have made a big step forward this campaign and suggests they deserve to be in the top flight sooner than later.

He told Sky Sports: "This season was a big step forward from last season and we have to keep going in the same way because this club, this crowd and this city deserves to be in the Premier League so I am going to start preparing for next season tomorrow because that is my job.

"We didn't get promotion this season, so hopefully next season."