Former Man Utd star Michael Carrick kickstarts managerial journey with Middlesbrough appointment, vowing to ‘give everything’
Michael Carrick has become the new head coach of Championship side Middlesbrough, who are giving him his first job as a manager.
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.
Now, Michael Carrick has been entrusted with turning their fortunes around, after TEAMtalk revealed he had been offered the job last week.
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 north east 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.”
His first game in charge will be away at Preston North End on Saturday. An away match against Hull City will follow in midweek, before his first home match on November 5 against Bristol City.
Michael Carrick described as ‘outstanding candidate’ for Middlesbrough
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 one-time caretaker boss – gets on.
In the long run, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson believes they have taken the best fit they could have.
Gibson added: “We’re delighted to welcome Michael to the club.
“We had identified a number of potentials for the vacancy who we spoke with, and were impressed by all, but Michael was the outstanding candidate.
“Michael has the same values as the club and we are very much aligned in our ambitions.
“We see Michael as the perfect fit for us and he believes this is the right club at the right time.”
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.
