Michael Carrick has returned to the club where he cut his teeth as a footballer, to launch his managerial career as the Middlesbrough head coach.
Middlesbrough recently parted company with Chris Wilder and have been looking for a replacement. As things stand, they are 21st in the Championship table, which is only one place above the relegation zone.
The Tyneside-born former Manchester United and England midfielder was on the books at Boro as a nine-year-old, although he made his name at West Ham and Tottenham before a trophy-laden 12-year stay at Old Trafford which brought him five Premier League titles as well as Champions League and Europa League glory. But having coached under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and briefly taken interim charge at United, the 41-year-old has taken on his first club and is eager to get started.
The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Carrick as Head Coach 🤝
Welcome to #Boro, Michael! 🔴⚪️ #UTB
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) October 24, 2022
Who is Michael Carrick?
Former England international Carrick won the Premier League five times and the Champions League during his Old Trafford playing career. He initially joined United’s coaching staff under Jose Mourinho.
He was then part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team before then getting a brief taste of management himself after the Norwegian was axed in November 2021. Newcastle-born Carrick had a three-game stint as a caretaker.
He led United to two wins and then a draw against Chelsea but left after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival. Now he is tasked with transforming struggling Boro’s fortunes after a dire start to the Championship campaign left them fourth-bottom.
Michael Carrick’s tactics and style of play
The former England midfielder might have just had 3 official games under his belt as a manager(albeit as an interim coach), but that was enough to explain a lot about him. Carrick led the Red Devils to 2 wins and a draw during his time with the Old Trafford outfit, although he did stamp his authority during that short time.
He showed the Old Trafford faithful that he is a blend of both Jose Mourinho’s pragmatism and Sir Alex Ferguson‘s great man-management skills. Dropping a player of the calibre of Cristiano Ronaldo for a game as big as against rivals Chelsea, Carrick showed that he is not afraid of letting the players know that the team comes first.
Michael Carrick’s record as a manager:
🏟️ 3 Games
✅ 2 Wins
🤝 1 Draw
⚽ 6 Goals Scored
🥅 3 Goals ConcededUNDEFEATED. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ynfCtdaWPB
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 24, 2022
It will be interesting to see how Carrick gets on with his new group of players. There is little doubt that several Manchester United fans will be keeping an eye on how their former midfielder and their once caretaker boss gets on.
In the long run, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson believes they have taken the best fit they could have.
Michael Carrick Middlesbrough’s analysis
After earning some coaching experience with Manchester United, the former England midfielder is now ready to lead a team himself.
He told Middlesbrough’s official website: “I’m really excited to be here and to be part of a club with such a deep history and tradition. “Middlesbrough was the first professional club I played for as a nine-year-old boy, so it’s a very special feeling to be back here as a head coach.
“Growing up in the northeast myself, I’m fully aware of what football means to people. It’s a real privilege for me to be in this position and to feel all the passion and enthusiasm you’ve got for the game and for Boro. “I’ll give everything to help develop the team and keep moving the club forward and make you the supporters proud. I can’t wait to get started.”
The Championship club, who have not specified the length of contract they have handed Carrick, turned to him after dispensing with the services of Chris Wilder this month with the club lying inside the relegation zone.
They also spoke to the former Watford and Forest Green manager Rob Edwards among a series of potential candidates but the chairman, Steve Gibson, revealed the former Wallsend Boys’ Club player proved “the perfect fit”.
Carrick will be working with first-team coach Jonathan Woodgate who himself has managed the club before and another potential new coaching appointment. Leo Percovich, who was serving as caretaker manager, has become the club’s Head of Player Pathway and Development.
The appointment of Carrick at Middlesbrough has surely caught the attention of many Manchester United fans around the globe. Although it is the Boro’s fans who are intrigued the most by this appointment and will surely hope the gamble pays off. As far as the United fans are concerned, they will surely be keeping tabs on Carrick’s progress, should one day the hot seat at Old Trafford gets vacant.