Middlesbrough fans give a rather mixed reaction to the four contenders for the manager’s job – Michael Carrick being the newest.
According to BBC Sport, Boro are keen to speak to former England and Manchester United midfielder about being the successor to Chris Wilder, who was sacked on the 3rd of October, with the club sitting 22nd in the Championship.
Goalkeeping coach Leo Percovich is in temporary charge and secured a win over Birmingham at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.
Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is on Middlesbrough’s radar 👀#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 7, 2022
However, Carrick is on owner Steve Gibson’s radar as a potential candidate to take the job permanently, while talks with others remain ongoing.
Carrick has been out of the game since leaving Old Trafford after a three-game stint as temporary boss following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal and steadied the Red Devils, with two wins and a draw at Chelsea.
Many thought the club would have been in better shape had they left the 41-year-old in charge for an extended period.
He is being considered along with former Watford boss Rob Edwards are in the frame, whilst Carlos Corberan – who recently left Huddersfield Town is another name of interest.
Carrick has never made any secret of his management ambitions. He told Yahoo News last month: “When you’re in it, it feels differently. You have that belief in yourself that you can achieve what you want to do in coaching.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching, but I did enjoy the management role more. It’s difficult to make a plan in football, but if something comes along, then yes, for sure I’ll consider it.
“I’m definitely not chasing it, and I’m not desperate for a job right now. But at some point, it’ll be good to have a go.”
WHAT ARE SKY BET SAYING
Michael Carrick – 10/11
Rob Edwards – 7/2
Leo Percovich – 6/1
Carlos Corberan- 8/1
Rob Edwards was interviewed for the Middlesbrough job on Tuesday, and had been the clear frontrunner for the vacancy, only for this new interest in Carrick to make the former England player the new bookies favourite for now.
Edwards has a backroom staff ready to go if Gibson decides to appoint him, however he is yet to be offered the job as Boro do thorough due diligence on their managerial options.
Leo Percovich said: “I think the club now is managing their time to analyse the situation and who is the right person to be here. Whether it’s rushed or not rushed, there is a certain time we need to analyse and take the final decision.
“We feel like we’ve relieved a bit of the pressure but we still have to focus, and our latest focus is Millwall because this is the most important thing right now. That Birmingham win is now in the past. We used a lot of fuel to push for that result, but getting a result against Millwall is our target now.”
As mentioned, Middlesbrough fans give a mixed reaction to four contenders for the manager’s job…
@Teessider1976: I’d take Carrick all day long. Bring him in with a good team beside him and would be more than happy. #Boro
@TheCarbz87: We’ve been down this route many times before, why not Carrick.. #Boro
@notSm1th_: Michael carrick would be such a good appointment #boro
@grace_nevitt: Michael Carrick with a few experienced coaches by his side. Can’t lie sounds pretty good to me #boro #UTB
@dave_e23: Get it done.
@lashes_17: If #Boro go #Carrick route, I think the idea is we bring youth in from Man U (Loans = free) and judging by our signings this season and having to balance the books, it would be financially shrewd. Personally, the appointment would make me nervous, but can see bigger pic/longterm
@scottsimmo12: I like the look of this and would be happy with the appointment as I think he will have a go. but would love to see @JohnTerry26 personally. Got villa up under smith knows the league and has great contacts. #UTB
@akey_utb: The one that stands out on the list for me , knows the game very well and has worked with some of the best in the game ! Will have good contacts aswell 🤞🏻
@wharfie96552: What’s this clamour for Michael Carrick? I really don’t get it. Much prefer someone with some experience. Can’t help but think it will be another none season. Transitional and all that shite. #boro
@LeeRutter79: Interview at least
@brigga13: I’d rather have Leo than Carrick!
@K4MY_: I have to say, I would be very pleased with Michael Carrick. He has a lot of respect in the sport and he will have some good contacts. People will comment that he was first team coach under OGS but let’s not forget Man U finished 3rd and 2nd during 19/20 and 20/21. #boro
@THEREALBORO: Michael Carrick would be a shrewd appointment for me, he’s a players coach, would get the best out of players, play a decent style of play and work well in our recruitment model. He really impressed the Man United hierarchy with his coaching style. Definitely a good move #Boro
@BigBoyBarryChef: He is highly regarded. Worth a punt. Some good players in that boro squad. A young up and coming manager is what boro need. Not the recent dinosaurs. With the home support boro have, getting behind the team I think a young ambitious manager will work well with that.
@Saltycolt579332: I’d love that me! He’ll have loads of knowledge and connections plus these young English managers have a good track record of guiding a club positively I’d enjoy seeing what he has to bring UTB
@CalRoddy14: I’m all for Michael Carrick. Gibson gives people a chance in there first job. #boro
@msherwood85: Loved Carrick as a player from when he played for England U21s at the Riverside. As a coach, don’t know much but you don’t stay at Man U for as long he did without something.
@darrenskerritt1: Can’t understand why people wouldnt think this was a good appointment. I would be happy with that. Leo is far too important to the club to get the job full time, he needs to be here forever
@sihide1: Id be happy with this to be honest, i think its the route we should go down this time around, didnt work to badly with karanka and mclaren, the experienced route has hardly worked has it, sign him up
@DavidKingy1982: To be fair he might have an impact on our poor midfielders
@RobSc0tt: Fully on board with Michael Carrick potentially being our new manager. Just as I am with anybody that isn’t one of the same, tired old faces of English football management.
An appointment that excites me… but I’m perhaps biased as a boyhood mufc fan!
Appears to fit the right mould, comes from club with similar ethos in terms of academy pride & no matter what you did as a player, you don’t stay at mufc as a coach for so long of you’re not good
— Craig Johns (@craig_johns) October 7, 2022
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